Darline Graham Announces Bid for Full Senate Term in South Carolina
WHO:
AP - President Donald Trump stated he has given Darline Graham his “Complete and Total Endorsement” to seek the Senate nomination, adding, “RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”
CNN - Sen. Darline Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, is running for a full Senate term.
Fox News - Darline Graham is the first female senator from South Carolina and the first sister of a lawmaker ever appointed to the U.S. Senate.
CNN - Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican from South Carolina and ally of President Trump, died at age 71.
WHAT:
AP - A weeklong filing period for the special Republican primary opens on July 21 and runs until July 28.
AP - Lindsey Graham's campaign account has millions in funds, but Darline Graham could only access $2,000 directly for her campaign due to federal rules.
CNN - Darline Graham announced her decision to run for her late brother’s Senate seat this November.
Fox News - Graham was sworn into office last week following her brother's death.
CNN - A special primary election will take place on August 11 to determine who will hold the seat for the upcoming six-year term.
Fox News - The filing period for the special primary runs from July 21 to July 28.
WHERE:
CNN - South Carolina.
Fox News - Washington, D.C., and Columbia and Pickens County, South Carolina, where Lindsey Graham's life and legacy will be celebrated.
WHEN:
AP - Lindsey Graham's funeral services are scheduled for July 28 in Washington, D.C., and July 29 in South Carolina.
Fox News - Lindsey Graham died on July 11.
Fox News - Lindsey Graham's funeral services are scheduled for July 28 in Washington, D.C., and July 29 in South Carolina.
WHY:
AP - Darline Graham expressed that she feels “a tremendous amount of pressure” regarding her decision to run for a full term.
CNN - Darline Graham felt a "tremendous amount of pressure" to make her decision quickly due to the looming filing deadline and encouragement from President Trump on Truth Social.
Fox News - Graham stated she has been "praying a lot" and talking to her family about her decision to run.
HOW:
AP - Darline Graham stated, “I have been praying a lot, talking to my family,” regarding her decision to run.
CNN - Darline Graham expressed her commitment by stating, “I’m in,” during an interview with Sean Hannity.
(UPDATED July 20, 2026 22:21 UTC)
President Trump has officially endorsed Darline Graham for the Senate nomination, urging her to "RUN, DARLINE, RUN!" A special Republican primary filing period is set to open on July 21 and will last until July 28, while Darline faces challenges accessing campaign funds due to federal regulations, with only $2,000 available to her directly. As she contemplates her decision to run for a full term, Darline has shared that she feels "a tremendous amount of pressure" and has been praying and discussing her options with her family.
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(UPDATED July 20, 2026 20:24 UTC)
Senator Darline Graham, the first female senator from South Carolina and sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, has announced her decision to run for her brother’s Senate seat this November. Following her brother's death at age 71, she was sworn into office last week, and a special primary election is set for August 11 to determine who will hold the seat for the upcoming six-year term. Darline expressed her commitment to the race by stating, “I’m in,” during an interview, and she felt a "tremendous amount of pressure" to make her decision quickly, especially with encouragement from Trump on Truth Social.