Lindsey Graham's sister joins the Senate race after receiving Trump's support

Darling Graham to Run for Full Senate Term

Just days after stepping into the Senate to succeed her brother, the late Senator Lindsey Graham, Darling Graham has announced her candidacy for a full Senate term.

“I’ve made my decision,” she shared in an interview with Sean Hannity, posted on X. “It’s official.”

“I feel like I can do it,” she added, reflecting on her journey. After much prayer and discussions with her family, Graham concluded that she was ready to take on this responsibility.

“I’ve talked with my family and spent a lot of time in prayer. The support from both my family and staff has been incredible. I’ve always been a hard worker, and I learned that from Lindsey. He truly cared about the people in this state. With almost 30 years of experience serving this community, I believe I can make a difference,” she explained.

Last Friday, former President Donald Trump endorsed her, encouraging her to take the plunge into the race.

“I’ve asked Darling to run for the United States Senate in the Republican special primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, for the sake of our country,” Trump stated on Truth Social. He added that she comes from a “great family” and has always been a winner, offering his full support for her campaign.

Graham was sworn into the Senate on Tuesday, following her appointment by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, to serve out her brother’s term until January.

Trump expressed approval of this decision, mentioning on Truth Social that he had recommended Graham to serve as the interim senator as a fitting tribute to Lindsey, whom he held in high regard.

Lindsey Graham passed away on July 11 at the age of 71 due to an aortic dissection, as noted in preliminary medical findings, following what was described as a sudden illness by the late senator’s office.

The deadline for filing candidacies in the special election is set for July 28, and various Republican contenders, including congressmen Russell Frey and Ralph Norman, along with businessman Mark Lynch, have already made their intentions known.