President Trump has asked new South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to temporarily fill her late brother’s seat, to run for a full term and offered his endorsement.
If she complies, the president’s support could prevent other potential Republican candidates from jumping into the special primary race to become the party’s new Senate nominee.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly last Saturday of cardiac arrest, was up for reelection this year and fended off a primary challenge last month.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster followed Mr. Trump’s suggestion of appointing Mr. Graham’s sister to temporarily fill the seat. Ms. Graham was sworn into the Senate on Tuesday, just three days after her brother’s death.
Mr. Trump held a meeting with Ms. Graham in the Oval Office on Thursday.
The president announced on social media the following day that he asked Ms. Graham to run in South Carolina’s Aug. 11 special election to replace her brother as the Republican nominee for the Senate seat.
“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” the president said. “Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”
Ms. Graham, 62, has not previously run for political office. She has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and devoted her career to that, most recently serving on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
Mr. Trump suggested that Ms. Graham would be best poised to continue her brother’s legacy.
“Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina,” he said.
Mark Lynch, who lost to the late Graham in June’s primary, has already announced his intention to run again. The businessman and founder of Christian-based addiction recovery programs said he is offering South Carolina “true conservative leadership.”
South Carolina GOP Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, who are not returning to the House next year after unsuccessfully running for governor, have both explored running for the Senate seat.
Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Republican, endorsed Mr. Norman on Friday before Mr. Trump’s post backing Ms. Graham.
Mr. Norman, posting in response, said he was grateful for the support.
“We will have an announcement soon and it would be an honor to work alongside a conservative leader like you in the United States Senate!” he said.
Candidate filing for the Aug. 11 primary opens on Tuesday and closes a week later.
