Darline Graham Nordone Announces Senate Candidacy Following Brother’s Legacy

Senator Darline Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, has declared her intention to run for a full Senate term in November. During an interview with ‘Hannity’ on Monday, she expressed her determination to uphold her brother’s legacy.

“He’s worked so hard for so long. I can’t just let that die. I’ve got to step in and carry on his legacy,” Graham said in her first interview since Lindsey Graham’s passing. “I know he cared about the people of South Carolina deeply. He worked tirelessly for them, and I feel I can do that too. He taught me well.”

Darline Graham Nordone, speaking at a press conference outside the governor’s State House office in Columbia, South Carolina, will fill the remaining term of her brother’s Senate seat, as announced by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11, will be succeeded by his sister, who will serve until January 2027. She also aims to run for a full six-year term.

As South Carolina’s first female U.S. Senator, Graham expressed feeling an “inner peace” about stepping into her brother’s role. “It is a tremendous amount of pressure,” she noted. “I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it.”

Unlike her brother, who was keen on addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Darline Graham intends to focus more on domestic issues and the everyday concerns of South Carolinians. “I used to see him on the talk shows, always talking about national security,” she elaborated. “While protection and national security are crucial, I believe in addressing what matters to the average person, like the price of groceries, gas, and healthcare.”

Lindsey Graham’s sudden passing at age 71 was due to an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. “It’s been tough, extremely tough,” she shared with host Sean Hannity. “He was everything, my rock, brother, mother, and father.”

Darline Graham has been serving as commissioner for South Carolina’s Commission for the Blind since 2019, managing a $90 million budget to help people who are blind or visually impaired find employment. “It was a passion of mine, but I have a servant’s heart,” she said. “You have to have a servant’s heart for a job like that.”