“The past few weeks have been an unbelievably challenging time for our family, but you know what? We did it. South Carolina is truly Trump country. Now, the critics say I shouldn't run for the Senate. They say I'm not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged.
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Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to His Senate Seat on Trump's Recommendation
July 13, 2026
On Monday, July 13, 2026, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone — the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's sister — to fill his Senate seat, after President Trump publicly recommended her for the post. Nordone, who had held no prior elected office, was sworn in by Senate Majority Leader John Thune the following afternoon and will serve until at least January 3, 2027, when the new Congress convenes. A special Republican primary was set for August 11 to choose a nominee for the November ballot. The appointment preserved a narrow Senate Republican majority. It was initially presented as a placeholder arrangement, and drew criticism as nepotism from across the spectrum — sharpening considerably when Nordone later said she would seek a full term, with Trump's endorsement, after South Carolina Republicans had been promised an open primary with no incumbent.
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“I continue to miss Lindsey every day, and there is still a big hole in my heart. But I know he's looking down right now, very proud of everyone in this room.
“I never understood why he got in this race. He has that right. That's his prerogative.
“Easy choice.
“Darline Graham is the real deal. Highly qualified, incredibly competent, ready for prime time. She’s ready to tackle the issues of affordability for the American people. And she’s ready to serve the great state of South Carolina in the United States Senate.
“She’s very smart, and she was being honest. She’s into the price of groceries, the price of food, the price of beef. It hasn’t been her thing but she’s surrounded by very good people. Her brother was very much about the world. He focused very much on that.
“Just come and vote. Just say that I’m on the ballot one more time.
“I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not that informed on national security.
“You need to get fully versed in what issues you’re going to be dealing with. This isn’t a get-trained-on-the-job.
“It's great that she's doing so well, and she's a very good woman. She's got good genetics. … She's a real professional. Just so you understand, I like the other people. They're all Trumpers, but, I endorse her. I think she's great.
“I've been accused of not being the politician. Guilty as charged. When President Trump and others asked me to run for a full term in the Senate, I prayed hard about it. I knew I could not sit on the sidelines. That's not how Lindsey and I were raised.
“Tonight, voters made it clear they want a PROVEN CONSERVATIVE with a record of getting the job done on the ballot for the U.S. Senate, and as we advance to the runoff, that's exactly what I'll give them.
“I wanted [Trump's] blessing to run and get his support. He decided to go with Darline, who's a nice person, and he decided to go with her. And so I respect that.
“By new state election laws of July of this year, you had to have voted in the last two of the last three Republican primaries and it's not clear she has.
“It's admirable and honorable what she's done to take the wings for the next six months, but she has no records and I am not even sure she's qualified to be on the ballot.
“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham's wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina.
“Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him.
“Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. It's my honor to ask his little sister Darline Graham to finish his work for him now.