Lindsey Graham’s Sister Put To The Test

South Carolina Republicans are preparing to make a major decision Tuesday as interim U.S. Sen. Darline Graham asks voters to keep her in Washington following the death of her brother, longtime Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Graham entered the race with two significant advantages: the endorsement of President Donald Trump and support from the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

But despite those powerful endorsements and the Graham family’s long history in South Carolina politics, some Republican voters remain undecided.

The central question facing voters is relatively simple: Is Darline Graham ready to serve a full six-year term in the United States Senate?

For some South Carolina Republicans, the answer is not yet clear.

Republican Voters Weigh Darline Graham’s Experience

Darline Graham was appointed to temporarily replace her late brother after his death unexpectedly created a Senate vacancy.

Lindsey Graham had already secured the Republican nomination for another term before his death following a tear in his aorta.

His sister frequently appeared alongside him throughout his political career, but she never developed the same public profile.

That has created an unusual situation for Republican voters.

Many speak positively about Darline Graham personally and believe appointing her to complete her brother’s unfinished term was a fitting decision. Some, however, draw a distinction between temporarily filling the seat and electing her to a full term.

Kathy Bustos of Mount Pleasant expressed that concern after attending a Republican event.

Bustos described Graham positively but questioned whether she has enough experience to win election to the Senate in her own right.

That concern could become one of the defining issues of Tuesday’s Republican primary.

Trump Endorses Darline Graham

President Trump has thrown his support behind Graham, giving the interim senator one of the most valuable endorsements available in a Republican primary.

Graham has made it clear that she intends to support Trump’s agenda if voters send her back to Washington.

In a video message delivered to Republicans at a campaign event, Graham promised to be a strong friend and ally of the president while asking voters for the opportunity to earn their support.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is also backing her campaign and has run television advertising supporting her candidacy.

Those advantages could prove important in a fast-moving special election where candidates have had limited time to introduce themselves to voters.

But Graham also faces a significant challenge.

She hasn’t spent nearly as much time campaigning across South Carolina as some of her opponents.

Graham Stays In Washington Instead Of Campaigning

Rather than spending every available day traveling across South Carolina and meeting voters, Graham has remained in Washington when the Senate is conducting business.

Her campaign has presented that decision as a matter of responsibility.

Graham says her first obligation as an interim senator is doing the job she was appointed to perform, even if remaining in Washington costs her valuable campaigning time.

At a meeting of the Fourth District Republican Club in Greenville, several of Graham’s opponents appeared in person.

Graham instead sent a recorded message explaining that she was in Washington working.

The decision has produced mixed reactions.

Some voters worry that Graham hasn’t spent enough time introducing herself and answering questions in South Carolina.

Others see her willingness to remain in Washington as a positive sign.

Supporters Praise Graham For Staying On The Job

Teresa Castrinos traveled several hours from Bluffton to Florence to see Graham and said she respected the senator’s decision to prioritize Senate business.

Castrinos argued that Graham’s determination not to miss important votes demonstrated that she was putting her responsibilities to South Carolina ahead of her political campaign.

Other voters have expressed similar sentiments.

Charles Brentnell of Greenville County said he approved of Graham remaining in Washington while the Senate was conducting business rather than leaving the capital simply to campaign.

That creates an interesting political calculation.

Campaigning traditionally requires candidates to spend as much time as possible meeting voters. Graham is effectively asking Republicans to view her absence from the campaign trail as evidence that she takes the Senate job seriously.

Whether voters accept that argument could help determine Tuesday’s outcome.

Who Is Darline Graham?

Although the Graham name is familiar to South Carolina voters, Darline Graham herself remains relatively unknown compared with her late brother.

Lindsey Graham became one of America’s most recognizable Republican senators during his long political career.

Darline Graham lived a considerably quieter life in Lexington, South Carolina, with her husband and daughters.

However, she isn’t entirely new to government.

Graham spent years working in South Carolina state government, including positions related to services for people with disabilities. She also served in a leadership position with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.

Her supporters point to that experience as evidence that she understands public service and government administration.

Her critics and some undecided voters question whether that background provides enough preparation for six years in the U.S. Senate.

Graham says it does.

Graham Responds To Questions About Her Qualifications

Graham directly addressed questions about her experience during a Saturday campaign appearance in Florence.

The senator arrived after spending considerable time in Washington for Senate business.

She acknowledged using notes during her appearance and explained that the demanding schedule had left her with almost no sleep before traveling back to South Carolina.

Graham said she had wanted senators to remain in Washington and continue conducting business rather than leave for recess.

“I wanted to stay there, and I wanted to get things done,” Graham told voters.

When questioned about whether she possesses enough experience for a full Senate term, Graham pointed to her previous state government work and what she has learned during her short period serving in Washington.

“Trust me, I have learned a lot already, so I think I have experience,” she said.

Graham Backs Trump On Voting Legislation

Graham has also begun establishing positions on issues important to Republican voters.

During a televised debate, she supported Trump’s push to change Senate filibuster rules to make it easier for Republicans to advance strict proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting legislation.

The issue could help Graham strengthen her appeal among Trump supporters who want Republican lawmakers in Washington to move more aggressively on the president’s priorities.

Her position also gives Republican primary voters a clearer picture of how she could vote if elected to a full term.

Graham participated in one televised debate but missed another while she was in Washington.

Her campaign noted that the second debate was scheduled despite conflicting with her Senate responsibilities.

Graham Takes Different Approach From Her Late Brother

Darline Graham’s political style has also been noticeably different from that of Lindsey Graham.

Her brother was famous for talking to reporters, appearing regularly on television and answering questions in the hallways of the Capitol.

Darline Graham has maintained a much lower media profile.

She has rarely stopped for lengthy exchanges with reporters and has participated in relatively few public campaign events.

She has, however, spoken with Fox News personalities Sean Hannity and Trey Gowdy, both of whom participated in memorial events honoring Lindsey Graham. She has also given interviews to local South Carolina news organizations.

Graham finally held a longer exchange with reporters Saturday and again defended her decision to prioritize Senate work.

“I feel like my job is to be in D.C. working for everyone right now,” Graham said.

She added that she wanted to spend more time campaigning in South Carolina but believed fulfilling her current responsibilities in Washington had to come first.

Graham Faces Several Well-Known Republican Opponents

Trump’s endorsement doesn’t mean Graham has an easy path to victory.

She faces several established Republicans, including U.S. Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman and former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

Each brings his own political experience and existing base of support.

The crowded field also increases the possibility that no candidate will secure enough votes to win the Republican nomination outright.

If that happens, the leading candidates would advance to an Aug. 25 runoff.

That could extend a campaign that has already forced South Carolina Republicans to make a decision much sooner than expected.

Some Republicans Say It’s Time For A Change

Not every Republican voter believes the Graham name should remain attached to the Senate seat.

Gigi Bray of Charleston said she believes appointing Darline Graham to temporarily hold her brother’s seat was appropriate but doesn’t support electing her to a full term.

Bray, who supports former Gov. Mark Sanford, argued that experience is especially important given the challenges currently facing the country.

That sentiment highlights Graham’s biggest obstacle.

She must persuade Republican voters that she should be evaluated on her own record rather than simply as the sister of one of South Carolina’s longest-serving political figures.

Trump’s Endorsement Could Prove Crucial

Trump remains an enormously influential figure in Republican politics, making his endorsement one of Graham’s strongest assets heading into Tuesday’s vote.

For voters who want a senator committed to advancing Trump’s priorities in Washington, Graham has made her position clear.

She has promised to be an ally of the president and has already supported Trump’s position on changing Senate rules to advance proof-of-citizenship voting legislation.

But voters must balance that alignment against the longer political résumés of several of her opponents.

The result could reveal just how much Trump’s endorsement matters in a competitive South Carolina Republican primary.

South Carolina Senate Race Comes Down To Experience And Trust

Tuesday’s special Republican primary ultimately presents voters with an unusual choice.

Darline Graham offers voters a familiar family name, Trump’s endorsement, support from national Senate Republicans and a record of government service outside elected office.

She is also attempting to turn what might ordinarily be considered a campaign weakness — spending less time on the campaign trail — into an argument in her favor.

Her message is that she has been too busy doing the job to spend all of her time campaigning for it.

Her opponents can counter with years of elected political experience and established relationships with South Carolina voters.

For Republicans deciding whom they want representing South Carolina in Washington, the choice could come down to experience, trust and which candidate they believe is best positioned to deliver results.

Tuesday’s vote will provide the first answer.

If no candidate wins enough support to secure the nomination outright, the battle will continue into the Aug. 25 runoff — giving South Carolina Republicans another opportunity to decide who they want representing them in the U.S. Senate.