SerpApi.Org
When Gov. Henry McMaster picked Darline Graham, his first thought was to appoint someone who could finish the late Lindsey Graham’s final five months left on his term. But was he considering whether Darline Graham’s name would be on the ballot on Aug. 11 for a special Republican primary for the South Carolina seat?
Those around the governor expected Graham to be a caretaker and complete the final five months left on Lindsey Graham’s term left unfinished following his death.
Now, Darline Graham doesn’t just want to serve in the seat until January. She’s asking Republican voters to nominate her for a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate and run against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the general election.
Darline Graham is one of eight announced hopefuls seeking the GOP nomination in the special primary. Also running are Walterboro attorney Duke Buckner, U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, Greenville businessman Mark Lynch and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman. former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride, Samuel Shepherd and Clark Neilson have filed for the seat, too.
But it’s Darline Graham who gets to run with the title U.S. senator, an office her brother was elected to four times.
Graham’s office called the governor’s office
Leaders in Lindsey Graham’s senate office tried to make sure most of his staff was aware of Graham’s death before a news release from the office went out. The governor’s office was called late Saturday night, with some of McMaster’s staffers being called after midnight to start preparations for their own news release.
McMaster had a phone call at 12:02 a.m. Sunday with Richard Perry, Lindsey Graham’s chief of staff, notifying him of the senator’s death.
Thirty minutes later, McMaster spoke via telephone with Darline Graham to offer condolences and to console her, according to a person familiar with the details of the call.
Graham’s office and McMaster’s office coordinated initial news releases. Graham’s office sent out the news release and a social media post announcing the senator’s death at 1:54 a.m. A little more than an hour later, the governor’s office sent a news release publicly offering his condolences.
At 2:20 a.m. McMaster had another phone call with Perry.
In the following hours, as tributes to Graham went out, the governor’s office reviewed South Carolina code to determine if he appointed someone from the U.S. House, would that person need to resign from the chamber, and how and when special elections would be carried out.
In the morning McMaster had two phone calls with Grayson Lambert, an attorney in the governor’s office, and a two phone calls with White House staffers.
At 10:17 a.m., McMaster spoke with President Donald Trump.
He then called Darline Graham for a second time at 10:43 a.m. to discuss her completing her brother’s term.
Lindsey Graham had stepped up and adopted her after both of their parents died 15 months apart. It was only fitting for Darline Graham to finish the term for her older brother, McMaster told her, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation.
According to the person who has knowledge of McMaster’s thinking July 12, it was not contemplated that Darline Graham would run for the full six-year term, and he did not want to try to put his thumb on the scale ahead of the special primary as voters would need to decide who they want to see in the office beginning in January 2027.
When asked about whether McMaster thought about a potential run by Darline Graham, the governor’s office said the governor only discussed Graham finishing the rest of her brother’s term.
Those close to the governor said not thinking of her as the permanent replacement is not as a knock against Darline Graham. Darline Graham’s appointment led to some push back on social media that South Carolina politics is an exclusive club.
S.C. GOP Chairman Drew McKissick told Politico he was under the impression Darline Graham would only serve the remaining five months and not run for a full term.
McMaster’s day wasn’t over after calling Darline Graham about the appointment. He had a phone call with his Chief of Staff Mark Plowden and then more White House staffers after speaking to Graham.
He then had phone calls with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who was visiting the state the next day, Attorney General Alan Wilson and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.
At 1:30 p.m., McMaster met with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The two already had a phone call at 9:30 a.m.
McMaster on Sunday had been on the phone with several people throughout the day to discuss the opening. Senate seats in South Carolina traditionally only open up once in a generation. Strom Thurmond served more than 47 years in the U. S. Senate. U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings was in the role for 38 years. Lindsey Graham was elected to four terms and was a favorite to win a fifth.
McMaster had one more phone call with Darline Graham at 7:10 p.m. He then spoke again to Perry at 7:32 p.m. and finished his day of calls and meetings with a 7:58 p.m. phone call with U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
The following day, Darline Graham’s appointment needed to be rolled out.
The governor’s office notified media around 10:30 a.m. of a planned news conference and coordinated a pool television camera for news outlets to use and stream footage. Those participating in the news conference gathered at the State House in the afternoon.
Before the 4 p.m. press event, the principals met in the governor’s office, where McMaster signed paperwork formally appointing Graham to the Senate, which was certified by Secretary of State Mark Hammond.
Discussion of Darline Graham running for a full term did not come up.
McMaster, Darline Graham and her family eventually walked up to second floor to announce the appointment to the world. McMaster and Graham each read statements as staffers for Lindsey Graham stood behind them. Neither took questions.
They were joined by Senate President Thomas Alexander, House Speaker Murrell Smith and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.
In his statement announcing the appointment, McMaster said Lindsey Graham understood the needs of the state.
“Under the law, it is my duty and honor to name someone to serve in the place of this extraordinary man for the remainder of his term,” McMaster said. “It is my honor to ask his little sister, Darline, to finish his work.”
It was a statement that did not indicate an expectation Graham would try to win a full term.
Later in the week, reports circulated Graham during an Oval Office meeting with Trump said was interested in running for the office. On Friday, she received encouragement on social media from the president to enter the race as well as his endorsement.
Darline Graham announced her bid the following Monday.
