Trump urges Darline Graham to run for full Senate term as funeral planned for her brother

By — Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Meg Kinnard, Associated Press By — Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-urges-darline-graham-to-run-for-full-senate-term-as-funeral-planned-for-her-brother Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump urges Darline Graham to run for full Senate term as funeral planned for her brother Politics Jul 17, 2026 4:30 PM EDT COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham, has his support to run for a full term to replace her brother in the U.S. Senate. WATCH: Darline Graham sworn in as senator after her brother's death He wrote on social media that she "has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement." "RUN, DARLINE, RUN!" Trump added. The president said he had discussed a potential campaign with Darline Graham at the White House. Four people familiar with the deliberations, none of whom were authorized to speak publicly, had previously said that she privately expressed interest in running. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Trump's endorsement dramatically reshapes the scramble to fill Lindsey Graham's seat after he died last weekend. The president had previously suggested he could back a potential candidacy from Rep. Russell Fry. Several other noteworthy politicians — including Fry, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette — have been eyeing a run. The filing period for a special primary runs from July 21 to July 28, and the primary is scheduled for Aug. 11. Plans for Lindsey Graham's funeral were also announced Friday. There will be a service in Washington on July 28 and more in South Carolina on July 29. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother's term, which ends in January. The first woman to represent the state in the Senate, Darline Graham called it "such an honor," as dozens of her brother's staffers and campaign advisers stood behind her, some with eyes glassy from welling tears. "Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him," she said. Lindsey Graham died Saturday at age 71. A preliminary report from the medical examiner said he suffered a tear in his aorta. WATCH: Lindsey Graham's career and influence on American politics He never married or had a family of his own, but his sister was often by his side for the political touch points of his career, speaking at events and appearing in some of his campaign ads. After both of their parents died when Darline Graham was only 13, her old brother became her legal guardian and later adopted her, to ensure his military benefits would flow to her. In forging a relationship with Darline Graham — who is new to politics but was