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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Trump's Endorsement Could Set the Stage for a Historic Senate Succession

Trump urged Graham Nordone to run and publicly endorsed her for a full Senate term.

Trump's Endorsement Could Set the Stage for a Historic Senate Succession
Image · Yahoo News

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Host credibilityYahoo News76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 2, 2026

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Republished from TIME, with credit to the original publisher.

TIME85/100 HIGH

35 stories · 82–88 · updated Oct 5, 2026

This is TIME's own score, and this article is credited to TIME. The host score in the Source Check is Yahoo News's.

Yahoo Newsvia TIME
Jul 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed newly appointed South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham Nordone for a full term, potentially reshaping a crowded Republican primary. If she wins, she would be the first senator to succeed a sibling in the chamber.

Community verdict

27 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Graham Nordone’s potential Senate campaign

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Darline Graham
R · SC · SEN

Newly appointed South Carolina senator and potential candidate for a full term

Graham's version of this story ↗
Rick Scott
R · FL · SEN

Florida senator who backed Norman

Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Late senator whose vacant seat is being filled

Nancy Mace
R · SC-1

South Carolina representative and possible Senate candidate

Russell Fry
R · SC-7

South Carolina representative who hinted at a possible Senate run

Pete Ricketts
R · NE · SEN

Nebraska senator appointed to replace Benjamin Sasse

Mark Lynch
R · SC

Businessman and declared Republican contender

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Senate minority leader referenced in connection with medical leave

Robert Menendez
Former U.S. Senator (D-NJ)

Former New Jersey senator whose seat was filled by George Helmy

Ralph Norman
R · SC-5

South Carolina representative and declared Senate candidate

Benjamin Sasse
Former U.S. Senator (R-NE)

Former Nebraska senator whose resignation is cited as an example of a Senate succession

George S. Helmy
Former U.S. Senator (D-NJ)

Former New Jersey chief of staff appointed to replace Sen. Bob Menendez

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator who praised Graham Nordone’s early days in office

Democratic candidate expected to face the Republican nominee

Mike Lee
R · UT · SEN

Utah senator who backed Norman

ALSO MENTIONED  Henry McMaster, South Carolina governor who appointed Graham Nordone to the vacant Senate seat; Jim Pillen, Nebraska governor who appointed Pete Ricketts; Phil Murphy, New Jersey governor who appointed George Helmy

Part of a bigger story

44 OUTLETS
Trump Urges Darline Graham to Seek Full Senate Term

Trump urged Darline Graham to seek a full Senate term and offered his endorsement after she was appointed to serve the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s term. Left-leaning outlets focus on Sen. Jon Ossoff’s accusation that Trump committed election fraud in Georgia, not the Senate contest. Center outlets largely treat the endorsement as a development in the race, adding appointment and primary context; one also weighs Graham’s government experience against her lack of legislative experience. Right-leaning outlets similarly emphasize Trump’s backing and the developing Senate race, generally without arguing for a candidate.

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