Trump Rallies for Senator Darline Graham in Tight South Carolina Race

United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit South Carolina to support the campaign of Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. This visit, including a rally with Graham on Wednesday, occurs as the Senate race in the traditionally Republican state of South Carolina has become unexpectedly competitive for the party. Lindsey Graham, a prominent hawk in the Senate and a vocal supporter of the US-Israel war on Iran, was widely expected to win the November 3 election. However, his unexpected passing in July significantly altered the race. South Carolina’s governor appointed Darline Graham to complete her brother’s term. President Trump then made a surprising decision to endorse Graham in a new Republican primary, which helped her secure the party’s nomination. Trump stated the endorsement was made "in honour of her brother." In a video message last week, Trump reiterated his full support for Graham, urging South Carolinians to vote for her, describing her as "a wonderful person, a great woman… a woman that Lindsey Graham said is the greatest person he’s ever met." Democratic challenger Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, has highlighted Graham’s lack of experience and her unusual path to the Republican nomination. Speaking to a local Fox News affiliate before Trump’s rally in Pendleton, South Carolina, Andrews criticized Graham’s debate performance, noting an instance where she admitted to being "not that informed on national security." Andrews commented, "My opponent needs the highest level of federal government politicians to speak for her. On the debate stage, it was really clear." Graham, in response, has labeled Andrews as "the most radical liberal that’s ever run for state office in South Carolina." Polls indicate Graham holds a narrow lead of approximately 2.7 percentage points, according to Real Clear Politics averages. For context, Trump won the state by 18 percentage points in 2024.

Tensions on Russia: Trump’s visit follows his executive order that waived most sanctions and tariffs on Russia, which were established by a law named after Lindsey Graham and passed with bipartisan backing in 2026. This decision drew a measured response from Darline Graham, who told The Associated Press on Saturday, "Personally, I would choose to put the ⁠pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down." She added, "I don’t trust Putin, and I don’t trust Russia." The executive order on sanctions is part of a broader shift by the Trump administration concerning the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2024. Trump and his allies have increased pressure on Ukraine, suggesting its leader, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is the primary obstacle to peace. Concurrently, Washington has offered concessions to Russia, including an agreement to purchase Russian diesel. Lindsey Graham had been a strong proponent of supporting Ukraine, and his death occurred shortly after his tenth visit to the country since the war commenced.

Political Headwinds: The tightening race in South Carolina reflects the challenging political landscape for Republicans as the midterms approach. Trump has been actively using his influence to mobilize party voters through nationwide campaigning in Republican strongholds. However, the president is entering the election period with historically low approval ratings, as voters express concerns about affordability and the repercussions of the US-Israel war with Iran. Beyond South Carolina, other traditionally Republican areas are showing signs of leaning towards Democrats. This includes Kansas, where polls suggest Republican Ashley Hinson is in a near tie with Democrat Joshua Turek. Kansas, where farmers have been significantly impacted by rising fuel and equipment costs, has not elected a Democratic senator since 1939. Additionally, Trump diverged from the Republican establishment by endorsing Attorney General Ken Paxton over Senator John Cornyn in the Texas primary. Polling averages show Paxton, whose career has been marked by numerous scandals, trailing Democratic challenger Talarico by 1.7 percentage points, with the race widely considered a toss-up. A Republican has not secured a statewide victory in Texas since 1994.