Darline Graham faces battle for her brother's seat in South Carolina senate primary

The South Carolina Republican Senate primary for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's seat has become a contentious battle. Republicans will vote on Tuesday for the second time in two months to choose a replacement for the late senator, who passed away in July, creating an urgent campaign season. Despite Democrats facing an uphill task to flip the seat, which is rated solidly Republican by the Cook Political Report, notable candidates aim to carry on Graham's legacy.

Among them is Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister, who was appointed to finish his term and later ran for the full term after President Donald Trump endorsed her. However, some Republicans have expressed skepticism about her candidacy, feeling she was elevated as the party's preferred choice without sufficient public awareness of her background.

John McGrath, chair of South Carolina's Berkeley County Republican Party, voiced concerns about the process, stating that the voters of South Carolina, not Washington or campaign consultants, will ultimately decide the nominee. Darline Graham, however, has embraced her outsider status, highlighting her understanding of the average American struggles and her stance against the Senate's legislative filibuster, a position her brother had previously supported.

She has emphasized that she is not a millionaire and is more focused on domestic issues than her brother's emphasis on national security and foreign affairs.

Darline Graham has a background in various state roles, including serving as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board. She has also held positions at Clemson University and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. She has affirmed her support for President Trump's agenda, including on key issues like the Iran war and voting legislation, stating, "I completely support the president's agenda. I'm 100% behind him."

Despite the endorsement from Trump, Darline Graham has faced challenges in differentiating herself from other candidates. Two U.S. representatives, Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, are also running for the seat and have emphasized their support for the president. Other candidates include former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who is attempting a political comeback, and businessman Mark Lynch, who received around 30% of the votes in the previous June election.

If no candidate secures over 50% of the votes, the top two contenders will face off in a runoff on August 25. The winner of the primary or runoff will then face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November general election. Andrews, who previously ran for the state's 1st Congressional District, has pledged to focus on lowering costs, protecting healthcare, and fighting for South Carolina families.