Trump Endorses Darline Graham for Aug. 11 Senate Primary as GOP Field Scrambles

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jul 17

Trump urged newly appointed Sen. Darline Graham to enter South Carolina’s Aug. 11 special Republican primary, saying she has his “complete and total endorsement.”
The race opened after Lindsey Graham died suddenly last Saturday, leaving a vacancy just weeks after winning the GOP nomination for another Senate term.
Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham earlier this week to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term through early January, making her South Carolina’s first female senator.
July 21 is the filing deadline for Republican hopefuls, with names floated including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace and businessman Mark Lynch, who said he would revive his campaign.
The endorsement gives Darline Graham an early boost in a rapidly reshaped contest that Republicans are treating as both a succession fight and a bid to preserve Lindsey Graham’s political legacy.