Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darling Graham Nordone, becomes a senator
Sen. Chuck Grassley swore in South Carolina Sen. pro tempore Darline Graham Nordone, sister of Sen. Lindsey Graham.
President Donald Trump said he has asked Darin Graham, the sister of the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, to run against her brother for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina’s special Republican primary on Aug. 11.
Graham was sworn in on July 14 to serve out the remainder of his brother’s term in the Senate, who passed away last week after a sudden illness. South Carolina’s governor nominated her as his successor three days after Graham’s death on July 11.
In a post on Truth Social on July 17, Trump said he met with Graham in the Oval Office and asked him to run in the special primary.
“We have known each other for a long time. She is a wonderful person and a true American patriot. Lindsey was one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known, and his sister shares a deep love for our country and South Carolina,” he wrote.
“I hope that’s what Darling does. No one could better honor the legacy of her beloved brother Lindsay,” Trump said in the post. “Darling comes from a really great family and has been a winner all her life, and if she accepts, I fully and completely support her in the South Carolina Senate special election. She will never let you down. Run, darling, run!”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Ms. Graham as the state’s first female senator on July 13, following the sudden death of her 71-year-old brother from a ruptured aorta.
Several names have been floated in the Republican special primary to replace Graham, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who ran unsuccessfully for governor earlier this year, Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, and U.S. Rep. Russell Frey, who represents South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District. Former Congressman Trey Gowdy and current Congressman William Timmons are also mentioned.
Although Graham’s current career involves supporting people with disabilities, he has no political experience. But she said she would rely on her brother’s colleagues and staff to get the job done.
“It’s a great honor to be able to complete some of his important work,” she said at a July 13 press conference. “I am committed to working hard in the coming months to support the President and continue my brother’s efforts on behalf of the people of South Carolina and the United States.”
Contributed by: Terry Collins, Vera Carpentier
