Sen. Darling Graham Nordone (R-South Carolina) participates in a swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on July 14, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Finn Gomez | Getty Images
South Carolina Sen. Darin Graham announced Monday that he will seek a full six-year term in the Senate, replacing his brother Lindsey Graham.
Mr. Graham was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster last week until the end of the year to replace his brother, who died suddenly on July 11. She is now seeking a more permanent stay in Congress, telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity in an interview on Monday, “I’m in.”
“I’ve prayed a lot and talked to my family…I feel like I can do it. I feel peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes, of course,” Graham said. She is now the fifth South Carolina Republican to claim to compete for the job in the special Republican primary election scheduled for Aug. 11.
Applications for the special primary will officially open at noon ET on Tuesday. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Annie Andrews in this November’s general election, a race dubbed “Solid R. Bush” by Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
Graham has been in the Senate for less than a week, but he already has President Donald Trump’s blessing.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, the president encouraged Graham to seek the nomination, calling her “a great person and a true American patriot.”
“There is no better person to honor the legacy of my beloved brother, Lindsey. Darling, who comes from a truly wonderful family, has been a winner all her life, and if she accepts, I am offering my full support in the South Carolina Senate special election. She will never let you down. Run, darling, run!” Trump wrote.
Her candidacy sets her up against other prominent Palmetto State Republicans.
South Carolina Congressman Russell Frey announced on Monday that he would throw his name into the ring, days after fellow South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman announced his candidacy.
“South Carolina, I’m in! I’m running for the U.S. Senate. Too many families in South Carolina are struggling to make ends meet. Rising gas prices and rising food prices are hurting hardworking people,” Frye said in the post.
“We need conservative fighters who will deliver real results in the Senate. I will be the conservative MAGA candidate in this summer’s special Senate primary election. I am ready to fight and fully committed,” the post continued.
Rep. Russell Frey attends the House Republican Conference caucus meeting at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Washington.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
Frey is an ally of President Trump and has been representing South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District in the northeastern part of the state since 2023. Norman, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus who ran unsuccessfully for South Carolina governor in the Republican primary earlier this year, announced plans to run for Senate over the weekend.
“I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate because we need warriors who will stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham’s legacy! I’ve fought for the Palmetto State in the statehouse and in Congress for years, and now I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. We want to pass the Act!,” Norman wrote, referring to the controversial pro-Trump election bill that imposes strict photo ID requirements and requires proof of citizenship for voter registration.
Congressman Ralph Norman (RS.C.) leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol.
Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
Norman has represented the 5th Congressional District in north-central South Carolina since 2017, but is not seeking re-election to the House.
If Mr. Frey, who is seeking re-election to the House, wins the primary, it could complicate the Republicans’ path to maintaining a House majority. If the Senate bid is successful, there will not be enough time to replace Mr. Frey on the House seat vote in November.
The South Carolina State Board of Elections confirmed in a statement last week that candidates can appear on the general election ballot for multiple positions. However, if Frey were to win both seats, he would have to decline his seat in the House, forcing a special election in the spring of 2027 and potentially leaving the House one Republican short by the start of the 120th Congress.
“While I respect Russell Fry and enjoyed working with him in the House, the reality is that his candidacy could leave his seat vacant until May 18th. If that happens, his constituents will lose representation and Trump’s The President’s policies are in jeopardy and the House is at risk of being led by Speaker Hakeem Jeffries. We can’t allow that to happen!!” Norman posted to Mr. X on Monday, referring to the House Democratic Leader.
