Despite securing President Donald Trump's endorsement and benefiting from a wave of sympathy following the death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, interim Sen. Darline Graham faces significant challenges as she seeks the Republican nomination in South Carolina's Aug. 11 primary.

Many Republican strategists in Washington and South Carolina say they believe Darline Graham enters the race with clear advantages, but also faces deep structural challenges that could prevent her from securing the nomination, Axios reported Friday.

Her biggest asset remains Trump's endorsement, which came just days after Republican Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to complete the remainder of Lindsey Graham's Senate term.

Trump has praised Darline Graham as the candidate best suited to carry on her brother's legacy, while a super PAC backing the late senator has pledged $900,000 to boost her campaign.

Advisers are also exploring whether she can legally access more than $2 million remaining in Lindsey Graham's campaign account.

Still, Republican operatives told Axios that the Graham name is both an advantage and a liability.

While Lindsey Graham became one of South Carolina's best-known political figures during more than two decades in the Senate, many conservative voters never fully embraced his record.

He was criticized for his past support for bipartisan immigration reform, his willingness to work across the aisle, and his earlier criticism of Trump before the two became close allies.

Several GOP strategists have said Darline Graham may inherit both her brother's loyal supporters and his political ceiling.

Another hurdle is her lack of political experience.

Darline Graham is well-respected for her work advocating for South Carolinians with disabilities, but she remains largely unknown to Republican primary voters outside those circles.

Unlike rivals Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., she has never run for elected office or built a statewide political organization.

Axios also noted Graham has yet to clearly define her own political identity.

She recently announced she would co-sponsor the Trump-backed SAVE America Act, legislation designed to strengthen election integrity by requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, but questions remain about where she stands on other key conservative issues.

Video circulating this week showed staff members shielding her from reporters asking about the legislation.

She also has not committed to participating in candidate debates.

History may present another challenge.

Political observers noted that South Carolina voters have traditionally been skeptical of appointed senators seeking full elected terms, and some Republicans view Darline Graham's candidacy as an inherited political succession rather than one earned through a grassroots campaign.

The New York Times reported Friday that Trump initially discussed appointing Fry before ultimately embracing Darline Graham after an emotional Oval Office meeting following Lindsey Graham's death.

The president reportedly concluded she was the candidate he "loved" most among those under consideration, and publicly endorsed her shortly afterward.

Republicans caution, however, that writing off Darline Graham would be premature.

Trump's endorsement remains enormously influential in GOP primaries, sympathy for the Graham family stays strong, and she has inherited an experienced political team that knows South Carolina politics better than nearly anyone.