South Carolina Republicans are responding to President Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham, the sister of late Senator Lindsey Graham, for the Senate seat. The endorsement has caused a stir among Republicans in the state, with some expressing disappointment and others welcoming the move.

Background

Darline Graham was appointed to fill her brother’s seat after his passing, but Trump’s announcement that he wants her to run for a full six-year term has raised eyebrows. Some Republicans in the state feel that Trump is setting himself up for failure, given his previous endorsement of a candidate for governor that did not succeed.

Despite the initial shock, allies of Darline Graham are confident that she will warm up to voters as she begins to campaign more actively. Graham has experience in state government, having served as a commissioner of the state’s Commission for the Blind since 2019.

Reactions

Some Republican lawmakers and operatives in the state have expressed concerns about Trump’s endorsement, with one state representative saying that it feels like a ‘backroom deal’ that voters won’t like. Others have noted that the special election process is moving quickly, and that voters will have to make a decision soon.

Other candidates in the race, including Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, have continued to campaign, with Fry highlighting his relationship with Trump and Norman pitching himself as a ‘proven conservative.’ The primary election is scheduled for August 11, and a runoff is expected to follow.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.