Darline Graham, sister of Lindsey Graham, chosen to fulfill remainder of his US Senate term
Darline Graham was chosen to serve the remaining months of her brother’s Senate term.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Union-Bulletin, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
The article is credited to Associated Press reporters and carries AP copyright, indicating that the reporting was produced by a major wire service. The page identifies the reporters and attributes key claims, though it also relies on an unnamed source for one detail.
- Source type — Associated Press reporting, a major wire service with established editorial standards.
- Author attribution — Named AP reporters are credited, with an additional AP contributor identified.
- Transparency — The article attributes statements and identifies its anonymous source as a person describing private conversations.
- Editorial standards — AP copyright and wire-service attribution indicate professionally edited reporting reproduced by the local publisher.
The report supplies attributed remarks, a sequence of election dates and a relevant federal ballot deadline. It notes that federal officials had not clarified the process, and one claim about Trump supporting “Nardone” is not explained or reconciled with the announced appointment.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article gives relevant election context and includes remarks from both a Republican governor and the Democratic nominee. The succession process and possible contenders are mainly discussed through Republican figures, and the federal election-law issue remains unresolved.
- Source diversity — Includes officials and political figures from both parties, as well as reporting on federal election requirements.
- Counterarguments presented — The article notes uncertainty about how federal ballot deadlines affect the process but does not provide a federal official's response.
- Omitted context — The process is described in detail, but the article does not resolve the apparent conflict between state timing and federal deadlines.
- Loaded language — The writing is largely restrained and descriptive.
The article reports the appointment, upcoming election process and potential candidates in a largely factual tone. It does not use a discernible partisan frame.
- Language tone — Mostly descriptive language, with no sustained partisan characterization.
- Framing — Focuses on the vacancy, interim appointment and election logistics.
- Source selection — Includes statements from officials and candidates from both parties, though Republican contenders receive more attention because of the special primary.
Republished with credit
Republished from Associated Press, with credit to the original publisher.
457 stories · 96–97 · updated Oct 5, 2026
This is Associated Press's own score, and this article is credited to Associated Press. The host score in the Source Check is Union-Bulletin's.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster named Darline Graham to temporarily fill the Senate seat left vacant by her brother Lindsey Graham’s death. A special election will determine the Republican nominee for the general election, but the article says federal ballot deadlines may complicate the schedule.
McMaster announced that Darline Graham would serve the remaining months of her brother’s Senate term, which expires in January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said she would be sworn in Tuesday afternoon. Darline Graham said she would serve in honor of her brother, who died Saturday at age 71.
South Carolina is to hold a special primary to select a Republican nominee for the general election. The article gives July 21 as the start of the filing period, Aug. 11 for the primary and Aug. 25 for a possible runoff. It says federal law requires military and overseas ballots to be sent 45 days before an election, and reports that Federal Election Commission officials had not immediately responded to a request for clarity.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSEDNo good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Graham in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Graham’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Appointed to temporarily fill the vacant South Carolina Senate seat
The late senator whose seat became vacant
South Carolina representative and potential Senate candidate
South Carolina representative identified as a possible Senate candidate
Former Democratic opponent of Lindsey Graham
Businessman and potential Senate candidate
President whose support for a Senate replacement was mentioned
South Carolina representative and potential Senate candidate
Senate majority leader who announced the planned swearing-in
Treasury secretary who was contacted about a possible Senate appointment
Democratic nominee for the general election
Part of a bigger story
37 OUTLETSDarline Graham was sworn in to serve the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term after Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her. Center outlets largely frame the appointment and oath as an interim succession, often noting election logistics, family background or historical firsts. Right-leaning outlets likewise largely report the appointment and oath, while some stress Graham’s pledge to continue her brother’s work and supportive tributes.
- ARTICLES
- 41
- OUTLETS
- 37
- AVG CRED
- 74
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