Trump Wants Graham's Sister to Run for Full Term

Sen. Darline Graham has been in the Senate for days, but she may already be eyeing six more years. Semafor, citing three sources familiar with internal GOP talks, reports the newly appointed South Carolina Republican signaled to the White House on Thursday that she's considering a run for a full term. Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was sworn in to finish his term earlier this week, days after his sudden death late Saturday. Gov. Henry McMaster announced the appointment on Monday, saying he had spoken to her "in the wee hours of Sunday morning."

President Trump, who said Monday that picking Graham as an "interim senator" would be a "fabulous tribute" to her brother, posted Friday that she'd have his endorsement if she runs in the Aug. 11 primary. Graham "has been a WINNER all of her life," he wrote, per the AP, adding an all-caps "Run, Darline, Run!" A source tells the AP that McMaster had "never contemplated" that Graham might seek a full term. The field is quickly crowding: businessman Mark Lynch, fresh off a primary loss to Lindsey Graham, plans to run, and potential contenders include Reps. Nancy Mace, Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and former Rep. Mark Sanford. The filing period for the special GOP primary opens on Tuesday, Politico reports. The eventual GOP nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews.

Graham, who was sworn in Tuesday, co-sponsored a Russia sanctions bill on Thursday. . GOP Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina's other senator, said Wednesday that she was off to a "remarkable start." Asked about Graham as a primary contender, he said, "'Why not her?' would be my question." Other prominent South Carolina Republicans, however, seemed surprised by news of her possible interest in a full term, reports Politico. "My understanding is that she told Governor McMaster that she would accept the appointment to fill the rest of the term, not to be a candidate for it," said South Carolina Republican Party Chair Drew McKissick. The seat isn't one that normally sees a lot of turnover: In 2003, Lindsey Graham succeeded GOP Sen. Strom Thurmond, who was first elected to the seat in 1954.