‘Pretend I’m on the ballot’: Trump pitches Darline Graham ahead of Senate runoff

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail in South Carolina on Friday, August 21, to rally support for Darline Graham, urging voters to back the Republican Senate candidate in the upcoming runoff.

Trump's appearance came after Graham faced criticism over a debate answer in which she acknowledged that national security was not her area of expertise. At a rally in Myrtle Beach, the president defended Graham, highlighted her loyalty to his agenda and asked voters to treat the race as though he himself were on the ballot.

Trump urges voters to back Darline Graham in Senate runoff

Trump used his rally to make a direct appeal for Graham, who advanced to the runoff after finishing ahead of Rep. Ralph Norman in the initial contest. He portrayed the candidate as a continuation of the political legacy of her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, while emphasizing her support for his America First agenda.

“We're going to elect Senator Darline Graham to fight, fight, fight for South Carolina and to always put America first,” Trump told supporters “You vote for her, you're going to be very proud of that vote.”

Trump also reflected on his relationship with late Senator Lindsey Graham, who represented South Carolina in Congress for more than three decades and died last month.

“I think Lindsey respected Darline more than any other person he knows, including me,” Trump said.

Trump had previously backed Darline Graham to complete the remainder of her brother's Senate term before she formally launched her campaign. His decision to campaign for her in person represents a significant effort to boost her candidacy ahead of the runoff.

Graham has faced renewed scrutiny since a debate in which she said she was “not that informed on national security” and that “national security is not my thing.” 

Trump also defended Graham's comments, saying she had simply been honest and arguing that her support for his administration and the military was more important.

“She was just being honest,” Trump said. “It hasn't been her thing, but she's surrounded by very good people, and she said that she's totally for the military.”

Trump asks voters to treat Graham race as his own

Trump made his most direct appeal to voters by asking them to view Graham's candidacy as an extension of his own political campaign.

“What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Just come and vote. It's so important,” Trump said. “Just say that I'm on the ballot one more time.”

Graham, speaking before Trump, addressed criticism that she lacked political experience by comparing her candidacy with Trump's own path into politics.

“The critics say I shouldn't run for the senate. They say I'm not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged,” Graham said. “By the way, President Trump had never served in an elected office before, and I think he's done a damn good job.”

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also endorsed Graham ahead of Trump's appearance, saying she had continued Lindsey Graham's work and supported Trump's agenda while serving the remainder of her brother's term.

Trump's appearance gave Graham a high-profile boost as she heads into the Senate runoff, with the president urging his supporters to turn out and treat the contest as a vote for his agenda.