Interim senator has spent much of the campaign in Washington
Darline Graham is entering Tuesday’s special Republican primary after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is also supporting her candidacy with television advertising.
Graham was appointed last month to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, in the U.S. Senate. Lindsey Graham had been nominated for a fifth term before he died from a tear in his aorta.
Graham was often by her brother’s side during his career, but she remains largely unknown in South Carolina’s political circles, according to The Associated Press. Her appointment allowed her to complete the rest of his term while she sought the seat permanently.
Graham has spent most of the campaign period in Washington as an interim senator and has been largely absent from the campaign trail, the AP reported. The campaign has lasted only several weeks.
At a Republican forum last week, Kathy Bustos of Mount Pleasant said she viewed Graham positively but was not sure she would support her.
“I think Darline’s wonderful,” Bustos said after attending the forum. But she added, “I think it’s a very nice gesture for her to have the rest of his term to complete, but I’m not sure that she’s really qualified or ready to be elected to the Senate.”
The special primary will determine the Republican candidate for the Senate seat. Graham is seeking a full election after being appointed to serve the remainder of her brother’s term.
Trump’s endorsement and the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s television advertising are supporting Graham’s candidacy as she seeks the Republican nomination.
MSI previously reported on Darline Graham’s entry into the South Carolina Senate campaign. Since then, the campaign has moved toward Tuesday’s primary while questions remain about Graham’s limited time on the trail.