Trump Brings a Last-Minute Rally Boost to Darline Graham in South Carolina's US Senate Race
Trump Rallies for Graham at Clemson
President Donald Trump held a rally Wednesday evening at Clemson University's T. Ed Garrison Arena to boost Republican Sen. Darline Graham ahead of South Carolina's Nov. 3 election. It was his second trip to the state in three months, following a tele-rally last Thursday, and came a day after he campaigned in North Carolina for Senate hopeful Michael Whatley.
Background and Official Line
Graham was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to fill the seat left vacant when her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham, died suddenly on July 11 of a torn aorta. Trump praised her as "smart and incredible," invoked her late brother's legacy, and said she has "great genetics." At the rally he promoted Republican candidates and warned Democrats "want to burn it all down."
A Surprisingly Tight Race in a Red State
South Carolina's First Woman in the Senate
The race will produce South Carolina's first woman in the U.S. Senate, with three women on the ballot: Graham, Andrews, and Libertarian Kasie Whitener. Republican groups have poured millions into the race as an "insurance policy" for Graham. The rally drew thousands; Trump was interrupted repeatedly by protesters as the crowd chanted "USA," and he dismissed the demonstrators as "paid protesters." Rep. Ralph Norman, who lost the Aug. 25 runoff to Graham, faulted Trump this week for the tight race, telling a reporter it "shouldn't even be close" if he had been the nominee.
