Former President Donald Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach on Friday to rally support for Senator Darline Graham, encouraging South Carolinians to vote for her in the upcoming Republican runoff election. Trump emphasized the importance of the vote, asking attendees to imagine he was on the ballot themselves to motivate their participation.
Graham is currently serving the remainder of her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham’s, term, who passed away in July. She faces Representative Ralph Norman in the Republican primary runoff next week, with the winner becoming the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate in November.
During the rally at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Trump reiterated his full endorsement of Darline Graham, stating, We need every South Carolina patriot to go to the polls and vote for Darline Graham. He acknowledged that Republican voter interest can wane when he is not a candidate, urging supporters to pretend he was on the ballot one more time.
Graham, whom Trump encouraged to run, joined him on stage, declaring, This is Trump country, and led chants of U.S.A. She has consistently highlighted Trump’s endorsement and her commitment to advancing his policy agenda, including border security and the SAVE Act voting bill. Graham positions herself as a political outsider, contrasting with Norman, who has served in the U.S. House since 2017.
Governor Henry McMaster, also a Trump ally, appointed Graham as interim senator and officially endorsed her hours before the rally. Trump had previously pressed Graham to run on social media and gave her his complete and total endorsement before her official campaign announcement. He also held a tele-rally for her on the eve of the primary two weeks prior.
Trump also addressed Graham’s recent stumble on a foreign policy question regarding U.S. interests in Taiwan, stating that she was being honest about not being up to speed on national security issues. He added that she is surrounded by very good people and is totally for the military. Graham has defended herself as not a polished politician, focusing her campaign on domestic issues such as gas prices and household spending.
The rally provided Trump an opportunity to engage in friendly territory ahead of midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. South Carolina has not elected a Democrat statewide in decades, and Trump’s 2016 presidential primary victory in the state was a significant step toward his nomination.
