Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) announced on Monday she will seek a full U.S. Senate term after being appointed to complete her late brother Lindsey Graham’s unexpired term.
“I have been praying a lot, talking to my family,” Graham told Fox News host Sean Hannity. “I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes. Absolutely.” She stated she had made the decision to run.
Graham has never held public office but previously worked to help people with disabilities find employment. The filing period for the Senate seat opens Tuesday and closes July 28. South Carolinians will vote in a special Republican primary on August 11, with the winner facing Democrat nominee Annie Andrews in November.
Republican Rep. Ralph Norman confirmed his entry into the race on Saturday, and Republican Rep. Russell Fry announced his candidacy on Monday. President Trump endorsed Graham last week, writing: “It was my Honor to welcome now Senator Darline Graham Nordone (The sister of the Late, Great Lindsey Graham!) from the Wonderful State of South Carolina, into the Oval Office… During her visit, I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. I hope Darline does this… Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”
Graham was sworn into the Senate seat Tuesday following South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s appointment to finish her brother’s term, which ends in early January. Lindsey Graham died July 11 at age 71 due to a preliminary diagnosis of a ruptured aorta from arterial hardening. Graham’s funeral services are scheduled for July 28 in Washington, D.C., and July 29 in South Carolina.
