Trump backs Lindsey Graham's sister in GOP Senate primary

President https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_blank">Trump endorsed https://www.axios.com/2026/07/13/lindsey-graham-senate-replacement-darline-nordone" target="_blank">Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of late Sen. https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/lindsey-graham-dies-suddenly-71" target="_blank">Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), in the special election to replace Graham as the GOP candidate on the November ballot.

Why it matters: Graham Nordone has not publicly confirmed plans to run, but Trump's endorsement will vault her ahead of other GOP candidates vying to replace her late brother.

• The winner of November's election will serve until January 2033.
• Nordone Graham was sworn in earlier this week to replace her brother for the remainder of the current term, which ends on January 3, 2027.

What they're saying: "I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026," Trump wrote in a https://truthsocial.com/%40realDonaldTrump/posts/116936914779266256" target="_blank">post on Truth Social Friday.

• "I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey."
• "Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. RUN, DARLINE, RUN!"

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.