Chicago – August 01, 2026
Darline Graham made her political debut in South Carolina on Saturday, telling Republican voters she wants to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda as she competes in the Aug. 11 special GOP Senate primary. The newly appointed senator, who is serving the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s term, said she never expected to enter politics and is now seeking a full term in a crowded race.
LEXINGTON, S.C. — Darline Graham stepped onto the campaign stage for the first time Saturday with a message tailored to South Carolina Republicans: she is running to carry forward President Donald Trump’s priorities. Speaking to hundreds of GOP voters in Lexington, Graham said she was “answering President Trump’s call to serve” and vowed to “fight for President Trump’s agenda.”
Graham, appointed after the death of her brother Lindsey Graham, is now one of nine Republicans vying for the seat in the special primary. She acknowledged her lack of long political experience but argued she understands issues such as budgeting and health care that matter to voters. Trump endorsed her after urging her to enter the race, giving her an immediate boost in an already compressed contest.
The winner of the Aug. 11 primary will move on to the November general election.
