SerpApi.Org
In a show of support for President Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline, has dropped her married name, "Nordone," and will instead go by her maiden name.
Graham, who took over the remainder of her brother's Senate term after his sudden death despite having no prior political experience, quietly made the announcement during an interview with Sean Hannity. The name change was noticed in a lower third on the Fox News show.
"I'll continue to say I've been praying a lot, talking to my family," said Graham as the graphic below her read "Exclusive interview with Senator Darline Graham." She added, "But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff, I know I'm a hard worker."
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"I learned that from Lindsey. He cared about the people of this state," she continued. "I've worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state. I want to talk about that in a minute."
"I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it," Graham added. "Will it be difficult? Yes, absolutely. So you're inclined to get in, or have you even made a final decision?"
It was then that she dropped the bombshell that she planned to run for a full six-year term once her brother's term expired. "I've made a decision. I'm in."
Graham is the first woman to represent the state of South Caroline after being appointed to the seat last week by Gov. Henry McMaster with the support of President Donald Trump. Graham's name will appear on the special election ballot, to be held on Aug. 11, to determine who will fill the vacancy.
According to a source within the South Carolina state government, when McMaster appointed her to the Senate, they had no idea she would seek a full term. Senate majority leader John Thune said that while he would not endorse her, he did find her to be a "strong candidate."
"She obviously carries on Lindsey’s legacy," Thune commented when asked by reporters. "But I think she’s a very accomplished person in her own right, and so you know she has a right, like anybody else, to get into that race."
"It sounds like there are a number who are moving forward with campaigns," he added, "It’s going to be a short campaign season, I think, for the law in South Carolina, what it provides for."
"But my assumption is that, you know, the voters in South Carolina, Republican voters, will come to a conclusion about that and send the right person forward," Thune continued. However, Graham found some support with Senate Whip John Barrasso.
"Darline Graham is an excellent senator,” he told CNN. "She’ll continue to be an excellent senator, and she has my full support as she runs to fill the six-year term of Lindsey Graham."
