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Lindsey Graham succession fight upended as Trump's chosen successor jumps in
By Alex Miller, Paul Steinhauser, Elizabeth Elkind
Published July 20, 2026
Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., wants to make her role as caretaker for her brother’s seat in the Senate permanent.
Graham, who was appointed to finish off the remainder of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham's term, is officially entering the special election to claim the Republican nomination in South Carolina after a push from President Donald Trump.
Graham, during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, acknowledged the "tremendous amount of pressure" to take over the position and run.
FOX NEWS CHANNEL’S 'HANNITY' TO AIR EXCLUSIVE FIRST INTERVIEW WITH SEN DARLINE GRAHAM ON MONDAY
Newly appointed U.S. interim Senator Darline Graham Nordone, right, with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., left, speaks during a press conference announcing her appointment to fill the vacancy created by the passing of her brother, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, at the statehouse Monday, July 13, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (Sean Rayford/AP Photo)
"I feel like I can do it, I feel an inner peace about it," Graham said. "Will it be difficult? Yes."
When asked if she had made a decision on what she would do, she told Hannity she had.
"I'm in," Graham said.
REPUBLICANS DEFY TRUMP, JUMP INTO SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE DESPITE HIS HANDPICKED SUCCESSOR
Her addition to the growing roster of hopefuls to replace the late lawmaker will likely shake up the race less than one day before candidates can begin officially filing to run for the nomination.
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So far, Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Russell Fry, R-S.C., and businessman Mark Lynch have all publicly committed to running. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has strongly suggested that she’ll throw her hat into the arena, too.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lindsey-graham-succession-fight-upended-trumps-chosen-successor-jumps