President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham Nordone on Friday to succeed her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, in South Carolina’s upcoming special election. Nordone has not yet committed to running in the August 11 Republican primary.
Trump made the endorsement in a Truth Social post, saying he had asked Nordone to run and praising her as a winner from an incredible family. “I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” Trump said. He added that she has his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and urged, “RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”
Nordone was sworn into her brother’s seat earlier this week to fill the remainder of the term, which ends in January. As of Friday afternoon, she had not formally launched a campaign, though reports indicated she had privately expressed interest.
Graham died last weekend at his Capitol Hill home from what the medical examiner’s office believes was an aortic dissection. Memorial services are scheduled for July 28 and 29 in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina. Other Republicans considering a run include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Reps. Russell Fry, Nancy Mace, and Ralph Norman. The Cook Political Report ranks the seat as solidly Republican.
