Trump Urges South Carolina Republicans to Back Darline Graham in Senate Runoff/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump rallied thousands of supporters in Myrtle Beach to help interim Sen. Darline Graham win South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff. Trump urged voters to act as if he were on Tuesday’s ballot as Graham faces Rep. Ralph Norman for the GOP nomination. Graham, appointed after the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, is campaigning as a political outsider committed to Trump’s agenda.
Quick Look
- South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff is scheduled for Tuesday.
- Interim Sen. Darline Graham is competing against Rep. Ralph Norman.
- Trump urged supporters to pretend he is on the ballot to increase turnout.
- Graham is serving the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s term.
- Trump encouraged her to run and gave her his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
- Gov. Henry McMaster formally endorsed Graham hours before the rally.
- Graham presented herself as a political newcomer rather than a career politician.
- She has emphasized border security, the SAVE Act and household costs.
- Trump defended Graham after her recent national-security debate stumble.
- The president also discussed immigration, Iran and his White House ballroom project.
Deep Look
Trump makes a direct appeal for Darline Graham
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — President Donald Trump urged thousands of South Carolina supporters Friday to help interim Sen. Darline Graham win a full term, casting Tuesday’s Republican runoff as an important test of his political influence.
Graham is competing against Rep. Ralph Norman for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. The winner will advance to the November election.
“You have to get out and vote,” Trump said about Graham, who is serving the remainder of the term held by her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, before his unexpected death in July. “And we need every South Carolina patriot to go to the polls and vote for Darline Graham.”
Trump acknowledged that some Republican voters are less motivated when he is not personally running. He is serving his second and final presidential term.
“So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important,” Trump said. “So just say that I’m on the ballot one more time. You got to say it, and you got to come out and vote.”
Trump, who encouraged Graham to enter the race and awarded her his “complete and total endorsement,” invited her onto the stage near the end of the rally.
“This is Trump country,” Graham declared before leading the audience in chants of “U.S.A.”
Trump arrives in a ‘very good mood’
Trump opened his speech by saying he was in a “very good mood” after Chief Justice John Roberts allowed construction on the president’s $400 million White House ballroom to continue temporarily.
The project remains the subject of a federal court challenge.
Trump appeared relaxed and repeatedly noted that the event was taking place on a Friday evening.
“It’s a Friday night. We have plenty of time, right?” Trump said. “What the hell do I have to do? Go back, bomb Iran a little bit more?”
The president also revived a familiar campaign performance by reading lyrics from the 1960s song “The Snake.” He has traditionally used the song to illustrate what he describes as the risks of unauthorized immigration.
“Haven’t done that in a long time,” Trump said after finishing the reading. “That’s our border.”
Trump invited several Republicans onto the stage, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Rally highlights Trump’s investment in the runoff
Trump closed the rally by telling voters that electing Graham would help preserve tax cuts and advance other Republican priorities.
He also framed her election as a tribute to Lindsey Graham, a longtime Senate ally, friend and golfing partner of the president.
“I want it to happen,” Trump said.
“Good luck, Darline,” he added before leaving the stage.
The Myrtle Beach appearance was the type of campaign rally Trump has held less frequently this year than during previous midterm cycles. His participation underscored the importance he is placing on a victory for Graham.
South Carolina remains favorable territory for Trump and the Republican Party. The state has not elected a Democrat statewide in decades, and only one member of its U.S. House delegation is a Democrat.
Trump’s victory in the 2016 South Carolina presidential primary also helped propel him toward the Republican nomination and the White House.
Graham contrasts herself with Ralph Norman
Graham used her speech to emphasize her status as a political newcomer and draw a distinction with Norman, who has served in the U.S. House since 2017.
“I am many things: a problem solver, a mother, a leader, but I am not a career politician,” Graham said.
Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham to serve temporarily in the Senate after her brother’s death. Trump later encouraged her to seek the seat in the special election.
Trump has said he told McMaster that appointing her would be a “fabulous tribute to Lindsey.” McMaster, however, 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 later.
McMaster formally endorsed Graham hours before Friday’s rally.
When he appointed her, a person familiar with McMaster’s thinking said the governor had not anticipated that she would seek the seat herself. The person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Trump encouraged Graham to enter the race
Before Graham formally announced her candidacy, Trump posted “RUN DARLINE, RUN” on social media and gave her his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Graham has repeatedly highlighted Trump’s support during her expedited campaign and promised to help advance his policies if elected. Trump also held a telephone rally for her on the eve of the initial primary two weeks earlier.
Graham has characterized her campaign as an effort to answer the president’s call rather than pursue a traditional political career.
She has cited her years leading a state agency and her brief period in the Senate as evidence that she is prepared to serve a full term.
Graham emphasizes Trump’s agenda
Graham has described herself as “answering President Trump’s call to serve” and said she wants “to fight for President Trump’s agenda.”
Her stated priorities include strengthening border security and passing the SAVE Act, a Republican-backed voting bill.
She has also focused on household concerns such as gasoline prices and everyday spending, while placing less emphasis on foreign affairs.
Earlier in the week, Graham drew criticism after struggling to answer a question about U.S. interests in Taiwan during a debate. She responded by describing herself as “not a polished politician up here.”
Trump addressed the episode publicly for the first time Friday before traveling to South Carolina. He said Graham “was being honest” when she acknowledged that she was not fully informed about national-security issues.
“She’s surrounded by very good people, and she said that she’s totally for the military,” Trump said.
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