Trump urges Darline Graham to run in South Carolina special election

By Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN

(CNN) — President Donald Trump said he’s urged Sen. Darline Graham, the younger sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to run in South Carolina’s upcoming special primary and pledged his “complete and total endorsement” if she enters the race to take her brother’s spot on the ballot.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday, praising her visit to the Oval Office earlier this week.

“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey. 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!” Trump added.

Graham was sworn into the Senate on Tuesday to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term following his death over the weekend.

Because the late senator was up for reelection this year, his death will kick off a sprint primary election to replace him on the November ballot.

CNN has reached out to Graham’s office.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire
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