Darline Graham Announces Run for Full Senate Term in First Campaign Ad

Republican Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) is out with her first campaign ad, making her case to Republican voters ahead of the Aug. 11 special primary, and she’s keeping it simple: Trump-backed, conservative, and ready to carry on her brother Lindsey’s legacy.

The video was posted to X. Graham opens by thanking those who prayed for her family, then hits three conservative priorities without breaking stride: the sanctity of life, keeping men out of women’s sports, and election integrity.

“I’m ready to serve and I humbly ask for your support on August 11th,” Graham (R-SC) wrote.

I’m ready to serve and I humbly ask for your support on August 11th. pic.twitter.com/e8cOUpnBu3

— Darline Graham (@DarlineGrahamSC) July 30, 2026

Graham (R-SC) says in the ad:

“Thank you all for your prayers. They provided strength through an incredibly difficult time. I’m honored to serve South Carolina and grateful for President Trump’s endorsement. And I’ll work hard every day to earn it. I’m a conservative Republican, and I believe this: Every life is precious. Men don’t belong in women’s sports, and only American citizens should vote in our elections. I’m Darline Graham. I approve this message, and I’m ready to serve.”

Graham’s path to this moment has been anything but ordinary. After her brother’s unexpected death on July 11, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to complete his term. She was sworn in July 14, becoming South Carolina’s first female senator, and Trump endorsed her three days later, urging her to enter the primary:

“During her visit, 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. I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey.”

Graham (R-SC) accepted the challenge during a July 20 interview with Sean Hannity, answering “I’m in” when asked whether she would seek the full Senate term.

Republican Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05) is Graham’s most prominent opponent. Norman has pressed forward despite Trump’s endorsement of Graham, consolidating support from conservatives including Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT). The field also includes South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Republican Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07), businessman Mark Lynch, former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and attorney Duke Buckner.

Read More: Conservative Republican Announces He’s Running to Fill Lindsey Graham’s Senate Seat in SC

Lindsey Graham’s Sister, Darline Graham Nordone, Is Sworn in to Serve Out Remainder of His Senate Term

A July 21 Resonance Media Services poll placed Graham (R-SC) first with 20.8 percent of likely Republican primary voters. Norman followed at 16.9 percent, a difference within the survey’s four-point margin of error. No candidate was close to a majority, and Norman’s strong favorability numbers make him a serious threat if the race, as expected, advances to an Aug. 25 runoff.

That matters because the same poll found 17.8 percent of likely Republican primary voters had never heard of Graham, while another 31.3 percent had not yet formed an opinion about her. That’s a lot of voters still up for grabs, and this ad is her opening argument to all of them.

Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.

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