In Lexington, South Carolina, Senator Darline Graham addressed a crowd of Republican voters at her first political event since entering the race to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham. She expressed that her decision to enter politics arose only after his sudden death. In an interim capacity, Graham is completing her brother’s term and is now one of nine candidates in a special primary election scheduled for August 11.
Though a newcomer to politics, Graham emphasized her understanding of key federal policy issues, such as budgeting and healthcare costs, which were central to her brother’s work. President Donald Trump has endorsed her, urging her to run and support his political agenda.
“I certainly never expected to be on this stage, giving this stump speech,” Graham remarked to the attendees. “I’ve never had any desire to be a politician. I’m here today because I’m answering President Trump’s call to serve. I want to stand up for South Carolina, and I want to fight for President Trump’s agenda.”
Graham’s political journey began just three weeks ago, following Lindsey Graham’s passing due to an aortic tear. Her connection to voters has mainly been through her brother’s legacy, including their challenging family history and recent funeral services in honor of her brother.
At the event, each of the nine contenders was given five minutes to speak. Former Governor Mark Sanford, known for his fiscal responsibility messaging, cautioned against government overspending. U.S. Representative Ralph Norman highlighted his endorsements and discussed his support for the SAVE America Act, aligning with Trump’s priorities. Russell Fry, another U.S. Representative, shared insights from his upbringing, emphasizing values like faith and hard work.
After the speeches, attendees participated in an informal straw poll while enjoying Chick-fil-A lunches. Darline Graham narrowly won the poll, ahead of competitors Fry and Norman. Many voters, like Charles Brentnell, are still considering their final choices, with Graham among their top contenders due to her alignment with Trump’s policies.
The primary election on August 11 could lead to a runoff on August 25 if no candidate achieves a majority. The victor will then compete against Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election. Other candidates who spoke included Duke Buckner, Mark Lynch, Mark McBride, Glenda Gail Parker, and Sam Shepherd.