Majority Leader Thune won't endorse in SC Senate race

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., announced Monday he will not endorse a candidate in the race to succeed Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died last week.

Thune did praise Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, who replaced him, and said she would be a "strong candidate."

"She obviously carries on Lindsey’s legacy. But I think she’s a very accomplished person in her own right — let the voters in South Carolina decide," Thune said.

Darline Graham announced Monday in an interview that she intends to run for a full term after President Donald Trump said he would endorse her if she entered the race.

I've been praying a lot, talking to my family," said Darline Graham, adding, "But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff, I know I'm a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsey."

"He cared about the people of this state. I've worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state. I feel like I can do it," Graham added.

"I feel an inner peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes, absolutely," Graham said.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who previously unsuccessfully ran for governor announced that he was running, along with Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who also unsuccessfully ran for governor, announced that she would not be entering the race.

Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at age 71 after suffering what his office described as a ruptured aorta caused by hardened arteries.

The filing deadline for the special election is July 28.

The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, lists the race as "Solid Republican."