Darline Graham rejects claims Lindsey's Senate seat was 'handed' to her: 'I have to earn voters'

WASHINGTON, DC: South Carolina Senator Darline Graham defended her bid for a full Senate term on Tuesday, August 11, rejecting claims that her appointment to her late brother Lindsey Graham’s seat means she is being handed the position.

Speaking to NewsNation, Darline said she still needs to earn voters’ support as she campaigns ahead of a Republican runoff.

Darline was appointed to serve the remainder of her brother’s term after his death last month and is now seeking the Republican nomination for a full six-year term. 

Darline Graham defends Senate appointment

When asked what she would say to people who believe her Senate seat was being handed to her, Darline Graham said she viewed the race differently.

“I don't see it that way, I'm not being handed this seat. I realize that I have to earn voters, so I'm working hard to do that. Like I said, I want to spend the next two weeks getting out to as many places as I can. You know, Lindsey was amazing, I will never fill his shoes. No one can ever fill his shoes, and I don't just expect it to be handed to me,” Graham said.

Darline was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster last month to fill the remainder of Lindsey Graham’s term, which runs through the end of the year.

She later entered the Republican primary for the full term after President Donald Trump encouraged her to run and endorsed her campaign.

The Republican primary, however, did not produce a nominee, with no candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote. Darline advanced to a special runoff against Rep Ralph Norman on August 25, and the winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews, who won her party’s primary in June.

Darline, 62, had never held elected office before her appointment. During her brief time in the Senate, she has supported legislation imposing additional sanctions on Russia and Iran and voted to confirm Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“I think I’ve accomplished a whole lot in three weeks,” Darline said, pointing to the sanctions legislation and Blanche’s confirmation. She also reiterated that she would have to earn support in the primary.

Ralph Norman challenges Darline Graham to debate

The runoff will also test the influence of Trump’s endorsement in the Republican primary. Trump issued his “complete and total endorsement” of Darline shortly after her appointment, backing her campaign as she seeks to succeed her brother.

Ralph Norman has questioned Darline’s positions on several issues traditionally important to Republican voters, including abortion, the death penalty, and government spending. He has also called for a debate with Darline ahead of the runoff.

“I don't know where she stands on a lot of issues. I think that's where we'll find out, where she stands on pro-life. Where does she stand on the death penalty? Where does she stand on spending?” Norman said.

The Republican nominee is expected to be favored in November in South Carolina, where Democrats have not won a Senate election since 1998.