Trump to Rally for Darline Graham Ahead of South Carolina GOP Senate Runoff/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour./ President Donald Trump is traveling to Myrtle Beach to campaign for interim Sen. Darline Graham ahead of Tuesday’s Republican runoff. Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, faces Rep. Ralph Norman for the GOP nomination in November’s special election. The contest tests Trump’s endorsement power after Graham faced criticism for saying national security was “not my thing.”
Quick Look
- Trump is scheduled to campaign for Darline Graham in Myrtle Beach.
- South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff is Tuesday.
- Graham faces Rep. Ralph Norman.
- The winner will become the Republican nominee in November.
- Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham interim senator.
- She entered the race with Trump’s encouragement.
- Trump gave Graham his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
- Graham describes herself as a political outsider.
- She says border security and the SAVE Act are top priorities.
- Graham recently said, “National security is not my thing.”
- Trump has not publicly addressed that remark.
- Rep. Russell Fry endorsed Graham after finishing third in the primary.
- South Carolina has not elected a Democrat statewide in decades.
Deep Look
Trump makes last-minute appeal for Graham
President Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign in South Carolina for interim Sen. Darline Graham, his preferred candidate in Tuesday’s Republican Senate runoff.
The Myrtle Beach rally comes days before Republican voters choose between Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman.
The winner will advance as the party’s nominee in the November special election to complete the term of Graham’s late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Trump has held fewer traditional campaign rallies during this midterm election cycle than in previous years, making the appearance a sign of the importance he places on Graham’s victory.
South Carolina remains favorable territory for Trump
The rally allows Trump to campaign in a reliably Republican state as his party fights to preserve control of Congress.
South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in decades.
Republicans hold all but one seat in the state’s U.S. House delegation.
Trump’s victory in South Carolina’s 2016 Republican presidential primary helped propel him toward the party’s nomination and ultimately the White House.
The president continues to enjoy substantial support among the state’s conservative voters.
Special election followed Lindsey Graham’s death
The special election was called after Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly last month.
Republican Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve temporarily in her brother’s Senate seat.
Trump later encouraged her to enter the special election.
The president said he had told McMaster that appointing Graham would be a “fabulous tribute to Lindsey.”
McMaster said he asked Graham to serve “in the wee hours” following her brother’s death and that Trump “thought it was a great idea” when informed of the decision later.
Trump urged Graham to enter race
Trump publicly encouraged Graham’s candidacy by posting “RUN DARLINE, RUN” on social media.
He issued his “Complete and Total Endorsement” before she formally announced her campaign.
Graham has repeatedly emphasized Trump’s endorsement while promising to support his priorities in Washington.
On the eve of the first-round primary two weeks ago, Trump participated in a telephone rally supporting her.
Trump had close relationship with Lindsey Graham
Trump’s support for Darline Graham also reflects his personal relationship with her brother.
Trump and Lindsey Graham competed against each other during the 2016 Republican presidential primary and experienced periods of political disagreement.
They later became close allies and golfing partners.
Trump delivered a eulogy for Graham at Washington National Cathedral last month, praising the senator as a trusted adviser and friend.
Graham portrays herself as an outsider
Darline Graham is a political newcomer who has emphasized that she is “not a politician.”
She has traveled across South Carolina introducing herself to voters during the abbreviated campaign.
Graham points to her experience leading a state agency and her brief service in the U.S. Senate as evidence that she is prepared for the position.
She says she is “answering President Trump’s call to serve” and wants “to fight for President Trump’s agenda.”
Border security and elections lead agenda
Graham has identified border security and passage of the SAVE Act voting bill as leading priorities.
She has focused much of her campaign on household concerns, including gasoline prices and consumer spending.
Graham has shown less interest in international affairs despite seeking a position that requires votes on national security and foreign policy.
Foreign policy response draws criticism
Graham faced criticism this week after struggling to answer a basic question about American interests in Taiwan.
She defended her performance by saying she was “not a polished politician up here.”
During the exchange, Graham told moderators, “National security is not my thing.”
The comment attracted attention because senators regularly decide matters involving defense, intelligence, diplomacy and military action.
Trump has not publicly responded to the remark.
Myrtle Beach offers conservative audience
Trump and Graham chose Myrtle Beach because it is part of a rapidly growing and deeply conservative region.
The area contains many new residents and has remained strongly supportive of Trump.
It is also located in the congressional district represented by Republican Rep. Russell Fry.
Trump had previously described Fry as an “outstanding” potential successor to Lindsey Graham.
Fry endorses Graham after third-place finish
Fry won his House seat in 2022 with Trump’s support, defeating a five-term Republican incumbent who had voted to impeach the president.
He entered the special Senate primary emphasizing his history of supporting Trump.
But Trump backed Darline Graham instead, leaving Fry without the endorsement that had helped launch his congressional career.
Fry finished third in the primary and quickly endorsed Graham for the runoff.
The move underscored the political risks facing Republicans who oppose Trump or fail to support his preferred candidates.
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