Sen. Darin Graham Advances in Special Primary

WASHINGTON — Senator Darin Graham has moved on to the August 25 runoff in the Republican special primary aimed at securing the Senate seat once held by his brother, who unexpectedly passed away last month.

Darling (R-S.C.) was appointed last month to temporarily fill the remaining term of Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and gained the backing of President Trump amid a crowded field of candidates.

However, she faced stiff competition from ten other candidates vying for the six-year term. Notable contenders include Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), Rep. Russell Frey (R-S.C.), and businessman Mark Lynch.

As of 8:30 p.m. ET, Frey and Norman were in a tight race for second place in the runoff.

Trump expressed his full support for Darling during a conference call on Monday night. “She has my complete backing from the start. She firmly supports Trump’s policies and will aid us in our goals,” he stated.

“She’s tough. Looks can be deceiving; she appears very nice, but she’s strong. She’s exactly the person we need to continue Lindsey’s legacy,” Trump added.

Despite a rocky start to their relationship during the 2016 presidential campaign, Lindsey became a close friend and frequent golfing partner of Trump.

The late senator faced a vigorous primary challenge from Mr. Lynch, known for his staunch foreign policy stance, which had drawn some criticism from the Republican base. Nonetheless, Lindsey’s strong support from Trump helped him navigate that challenge successfully.

Darling aims to uphold her brother’s legacy but has expressed a desire to concentrate more on affordability and domestic issues instead of foreign policy.

“I’m not a politician. I’m not a billionaire,” she remarked during a debate. “I truly understand the struggles of average American families.”

She also emphasized her unwavering support for Trump and her commitment to being his ally in the Senate.

Throughout her short campaign, Darling highlighted her experience with various South Carolina organizations, including the Commission for the Blind, the Workforce Development Commission, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Department of Employment and Labor.

The eventual winner of the South Carolina Senate primary will go on to face Democratic Dr. Annie Andrews, who is also campaigning for the seat.

Senate seats in the Palmetto State typically lean Republican.