Darline Graham, Sister of Late Sen. Lindsey Graham, Announces Bid for Full Senate Term
By: WNEWS247 Editorial Staff
Published: July 22, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, who was appointed earlier this month to temporarily fill the South Carolina Senate seat left vacant by the death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, announced July 20, 2026, that she will run for a full six-year term.
Graham Nordone confirmed her decision during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. When asked whether she would enter the race, she replied, “I’ve made a decision. I’m in.”
Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (center) meets with South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (left) and Alabama Sen. Katie Britt at the U.S. Capitol. Photo: U.S. Senate / Public Domain.
Who is Darline Graham Nordone?
Darline Graham Nordone is the younger sister of Lindsey Graham, who represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades before his death on July 11 at age 71.
After their parents died about 15 months apart while they were still young, Lindsey Graham became her legal guardian. Graham Nordone has said the experience brought the siblings especially close. She later helped during her brother’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Before joining the Senate, Graham Nordone spent nearly 30 years in South Carolina state government, including serving on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and in other roles focused on helping people with disabilities.
Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to the Senate on July 13, and she was sworn in the following week, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
She is married to Larry Nordone, and they have two daughters.
Why she decided to run
Graham Nordone said she decided to seek a full term after spending time praying and talking with her family following her brother’s death.
She said she believes she is ready to continue serving South Carolina and credited her brother with teaching her the value of hard work. She also said she felt at peace with the decision, despite knowing the campaign would be challenging.
Her announcement came after President Donald Trump publicly encouraged her to run, saying no one would better honor Lindsey Graham’s legacy. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton has also endorsed her campaign.
While Graham Nordone has said she wants to continue her brother’s legacy, she has also indicated she will bring her own priorities to the Senate. In addition to national security and border security, she said she wants to place greater emphasis on issues that directly affect families, including grocery prices, fuel costs and health insurance.
The race ahead
Graham Nordone joins an increasingly competitive Republican primary that already includes South Carolina Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, as well as businessman Mark Lynch.
Under South Carolina law, the governor appoints a temporary senator until voters elect someone to serve the remainder of the term. Candidate filing for the special Republican primary opened this week and closes July 28. The primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, with the winner advancing to the November general election.
Some South Carolina Republicans told reporters they were surprised by Graham Nordone’s decision to run, as many had expected her to serve only as a caretaker until voters elected a permanent replacement.
