Darline Graham
About
Based in Lexington, South Carolina · Age 62
Darline Graham is a Republican U.S. Senator from South Carolina, appointed in July 2026 to fill the seat of her late brother, Lindsey Graham. She has never held elected office before, instead building a career in vocational rehabilitation and serving as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Graham has secured former President Donald Trump's endorsement and is running in the special Republican primary on August 11, 2026.
Commissioner and agency head of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (2019–present)
Public information director for the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department (by 2015)
Worked in vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities
Never held elected office prior to Senate appointment
Where they stand
Election Integrity & Reform
Cosponsored the SAVE America Act as first Senate legislation, requiring photo ID and proof of citizenship to register and vote in federal elections and directing states to purge noncitizens from voter rolls. Compares it to needing ID for a library card and wants only citizens deciding elections.
End Corruption, Fraud, and Abuse
Cites running the SC Commission for the Blind — 10 offices, 130-plus employees, a $90 million budget — as proof of cutting waste, and wants that discipline applied in Washington: eliminate duplication, rein in reckless spending, and make government work for taxpayers again.
Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
Backs full ICE funding, calling agents' work removing 'dangerous criminal illegal aliens' essential and saying Congress should keep giving them resources. Frames legal immigration as welcome — 'come legally, follow our laws, and live by our values' — and credits Trump's border enforcement record.
Their priorities
Issues Darline is raising that aren't a shared debate across the field.
Russia policy and sanctions
Introduced the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 on 2026-07-16, modeled on the predecessor's sanctions bill; it advanced 86-12 in a bipartisan procedural vote on 2026-07-28. Calls it 'a critical tool for President Trump as he seeks to end the war in Ukraine.'
Support
Donald Trump
President of the United States
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
U.S. Senator, Senate GOP Conference Chair
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)
U.S. Senator, Senate GOP Whip
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
U.S. Senator, Senate GOP Policy Chair
Republican Jewish Coalition
Organization
Money
Outside money: $921K supporting
Others running for U.S. Senator
