Sen. Darline Graham running for full Senate term after being appointed to Lindsey Graham's seat

Sen. Darline Graham announced that she will run for her late brother's seat this November, after being appointed last week to serve out the rest of Lindsey Graham's term.

Graham acknowledged the 'tremendous amount of pressure' she felt to decide quickly, with a filing deadline looming and President Donald Trump posting on Truth Social that he would like her to run for the seat.

'I've made a decision. I'm in,' Graham said. 'I've been praying a lot, talking to my family, but with the love of my family, with the support of his staff — I know I'm a hard worker, I learned that from Lindsey. He cared about the people of this state. I've worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state.'

Graham is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. She was appointed to the seat by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to serve until January 2027. A special primary election will take place August 11.

Multiple influential South Carolina Republicans told CNN the initial reports that Darline Graham planned to seek a full Senate term came as a surprise.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not endorsing Darline Graham at this time but called her a 'strong candidate.'

Senate GOP Whip John Barrasso said: 'Darline Graham is an excellent senator. She'll continue to be an excellent senator, and she has my full support.'

Rep. Russell Fry also announced Monday he will join the race. On X, Fry wrote: 'We need a conservative fighter in the Senate who delivers real results. I will be your conservative MAGA candidate in the special primary Senate election this summer.'

Graham, 62, has not previously held elected office. Rep. Ralph Norman and businessman Mark Lynch also entered the race. Rep. Nancy Mace announced she would not run for Graham's seat.

Lindsey Graham died following an aortic dissection at age 71.