President Donald Trump backed Sen. Darline Graham's bid for a full Senate term in South Carolina because he viewed her as the best candidate to continue the political legacy of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, and remain aligned with his agenda, according to a report published Friday in The New York Times.
Trump endorsed Darline Graham shortly before she entered the Republican primary for the seat, giving her an immediate advantage in a crowded field that includes Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, former Gov. Mark Sanford, and businessman Mark Lynch.
According to the Times, Trump's decision was rooted in his years-long relationship with Lindsey Graham, whose alliance with the president became one of the strongest partnerships between the White House and Senate Republicans during Trump's first term.
Rather than seeking a candidate with an established statewide political profile, Trump opted to support Darline Graham because he believed she would continue her brother's work in the Senate while advancing the president's legislative priorities.
The endorsement also reflected Trump's desire to reward one of his closest congressional allies by helping keep the Senate seat in the Graham family's hands, the report said.
Darline Graham was appointed earlier this month by Gov. Henry McMaster to complete the remainder of Lindsey Graham's term following his death.
Although she has little campaign experience, Trump concluded she was best positioned to carry forward her brother's record and represent the political coalition he helped build.
The endorsement quickly reshaped the Republican primary, making Graham the contender most closely identified with Trump in a state where the president remains highly popular among GOP voters.
Some Republican strategists, however, have questioned whether Trump's backing alone will guarantee Graham the nomination.
They have pointed to her limited campaign experience and relatively low public profile compared with several of her opponents.
Supporters argue those concerns are outweighed by her familiarity with South Carolina politics after years of working alongside her brother and her commitment to advancing conservative priorities.
The Aug. 11 Republican primary is expected to provide an early measure of Trump's continued influence over Republican voters in South Carolina. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to an Aug. 25 runoff.
Because South Carolina is a reliably Republican state in federal elections, the GOP nominee will be favored in the general election. The contest has drawn national attention as Republicans determine who will succeed Lindsey Graham and whether Trump's endorsement will remain the decisive factor in a competitive Senate primary.