Republicans are increasingly alarmed about Darline Graham’s Senate campaign, as party figures fear the seat once held by her late brother, Lindsey, could unexpectedly shift to Democratic control.
Donald Trump personally selected Darline to succeed Lindsey after his death in July. He later urged her to seek the Republican nomination for a full term, and she accepted his endorsement.
But questions have followed Graham’s campaign from the start. Critics have pointed to her limited political experience and apparent reluctance to take on the role. In one interview, she even joked that she was going “to choke Lindsey” for putting her in the position.
The race took a dramatic turn this week when a new poll found Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews running neck and neck. The result prompted Trump to stage another campaign event for Graham in a state he carried by 18 points only two years ago.
A Wall Street Journal report now quotes Republican sources blaming Trump for insisting that Graham enter the contest. Some reportedly believe the party “could have found a better candidate.”
Ralph Norman, Graham’s defeated primary opponent, said his entire Republican family plans to withhold support from her.
“The reason he’s here is she’s lagging in the polls. He’s doing it because she is in trouble,” Norman said.
“He could be in other states like Ohio or Texas that are in trouble, but he’s in Rock Hill, South Carolina.”
Republicans are increasingly concerned about Darline Graham’s Senate campaign, with some fearing the seat held by her late brother Lindsey could fall to Democrats
Trump chose Darline Graham to succeed her brother after his death in July and later encouraged her to seek a full Senate term
Graham remains a reluctant political newcomer who has struggled to raise money and lacks name recognition among many political insiders in South Carolina.
She has attributed those difficulties to spending much of her time in Washington as she learns the responsibilities of her new position.
Andrews, a pediatrician who previously mounted an unsuccessful congressional campaign, has portrayed Graham as a political insider and a supporter of data-center development.
“Even though we’re a solid red state, it’s almost like she had an advantage,” Graham said.
According to sources cited by the WSJ, Graham has become far more active in debate preparation and campaign appearances after a difficult early performance in which she said, “national security is not my thing.”
Trump has also sought to bolster her campaign by labeling Andrews a radical extremist on social issues, including her alleged support for transgender children. He has used the provocative nickname “Trannie Annie” to attack the Democrat.
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Even after Graham’s campaign showed signs of improvement, Norman remained doubtful that she had earned voters’ support.
“You have to earn the vote. She hasn’t done that,” Norman said, while declining to reveal whether he had voted for Graham.
A new poll found Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews tied, prompting Trump to hold another event in South Carolina, a state he won by 18 points two years ago
Ralph Norman, who lost to Graham in the Republican primary, said his family members—all Republicans—would not vote for her
“The campaign has been about trying to prop up a candidate.”
South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1998, when Charleston’s Fritz Hollings won his final term. He remained in office until 2005.
Trump, who developed a close friendship with Lindsey Graham and spoke at his funeral, has taken a personal interest in the contest and held several rallies on Darline’s behalf.
He has accused Andrews of supporting “Transgender for Everyone, Open Borders, Defunding the Police, High Taxes, a Weak Military,” as well as efforts to restrict Americans’ gun rights.
“Trannie is not for South Carolina, and South Carolina must show, in the upcoming Election, that it is not for her. VOTE FOR DARLINE GRAHAM,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post last month.
Andrews responded by redirecting the debate toward everyday household concerns and emphasizing her background as a mother and pediatrician.
Graham’s limited policy experience has emerged as one of the central criticisms of her candidacy.
Although she spent years supporting her brother’s political career, Darline had never held elected office before taking over his Senate seat.
At a rally alongside Trump in Pendleton, South Carolina, last week, Graham spoke for fewer than two minutes and focused primarily on praising the president.
She described Trump as “one of Lindsey’s greatest friends” and said he “will always be a part of the Graham family.”
The Republican Party last month committed another $5 million to the South Carolina race in an effort to support Graham.
Axios reported that the money was being deployed as an “insurance policy” to protect a Republican-held seat that Lindsey had consistently won by margins of more than 10 percentage points.
