President Donald Trump’s bid to install Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, as South Carolina’s next senator has met resistance from Republican voters and rivals. Trump called the appointment a ‘fabulous tribute’ and urged voters to elect her to a full six-year term in the August 11 special election, promising his ‘Complete and Total Endorsement.’ However, some Republicans argue that voters should choose from a field that remains crowded despite the president’s endorsement.

Republican Opposition

U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for governor, said South Carolina’s conservative voters were upset by the president’s endorsement. ‘His candidate lost in the governor’s race, and his candidate’s going to lose in the Senate race,’ said Mace, who is supporting U.S. Representative Ralph Norman. ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put in a tried and true conservative.’ Mace also stated that Trump’s endorsement ‘gets you into a runoff,’ but it doesn’t guarantee a win.

At least nine candidates are seeking the Republican nomination, including two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, a former governor, and a wealthy businessman who ran against Lindsey Graham in the original primary. A 10th candidate has challenged whether he can appear on the ballot. Recent polls show Graham leading by a double-digit margin, with Norman, U.S. Representative Russell Fry, and former Governor Mark Sanford competing for the second runoff spot.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.