Lindsey Graham’s Sister Eyeing Run For Full Senate Term In Potentially Tough Race: Report

Rainier Ehrhardt/AP photo

Newly-appointed Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) is reportedly eyeing a full term in Congress after taking over her brother Lindsey Graham’s seat.

Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly on July 11 from an aortic dissection, officials said. He was 71.

After less than a week in the job, Nordone has told the White House she may want to run for a full Senate term, three sources told Semafor.

It’s not clear who will win the race to replace Lindsey Graham — who served 23 years in Congress before his sudden death — or if his sister would have the backing of President Donald Trump, according to the outlet.

Trump quickly announced Nordone as his choice to replace Graham via a Truth Social post.

“This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!” the president wrote.

Nordone, 62, was then appointed to take over Graham’s seat on Monday by Gov. Henry McMaster (R), after Trump urged the governor to pick her for the role.

A special election is set for Aug. 11 to determine a Republican candidate for the seat to face off against Democrat Annie Andrews, a doctor.

An Emerson College poll this week found a crowded field of potential candidates, with none taking a firm lead among voters.

The survey of 500 likely Republican voters was conducted Tuesday and Wednesday, and found 16% polled chose Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC); 13% backed businessman Mark Lynch; 10% chose Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, respectively; 9% for Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), 8% for McMaster; just 6% for Nordone, and 5% for former Gov. Mark Sanford.

The Graham siblings shared a special bond: their parents died within 15 months of each other, when Nordone was just 13. Lindsey Graham then became his younger sister’s legal guardian.

Nordone was sworn in Tuesday by longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) with Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) by her side.

Reps for Nordone and the White House did not comment to Semafor.

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