In a spirited appeal to his loyal supporters in South Carolina, Donald Trump urged them to imagine he is on the ballot and cast their votes for Darline Graham for a full term in the US Senate.
Trump made an appearance in Myrtle Beach to campaign alongside Graham at a critical rally, aiming to secure her victory in the face of a strong challenge from Congressman Ralph Norman. This Tuesday’s runoff election for the South Carolina Republican Senate seat is drawing close attention.
“It’s crucial that you turn out and vote,” Trump emphasized while encouraging support for Graham. “We’re counting on every South Carolina patriot to head to the polls and back Darline Graham.”
Trump pointed out a trend where Republican voter turnout diminishes when he himself is not a candidate on the ticket.
“What I’m really asking is for you to pretend that I’m on the ballot again. It’s essential. Just act as if it’s my name there and come out to vote,” he implored.
Trump spoke about his second term accomplishments, mocked ‘Dumocrats’ opposing him and chuckled as a heckler was removed from the crowd.
He also declared that he considers the Strait of Hormuz ‘an American territory’ amid the still ongoing tensions with Iran.
Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was appointed to temporarily fill her brother’s seat after his death and is now seeking a full six-year term.
Trump has backed her, persuading her to run before her formal announcement – turning the runoff into an unusually direct test of his influence over South Carolina Republicans.
After Lindsey Graham’s passing, Trump threw his full support behind Darline, urging her to step forward and carry on her brother’s legacy in the Senate
Representative Norman seized on the opportunity to call out Graham on her lack of security knowledge on X writing the state ‘deserves a candidate who understands foreign policy’
Darline Graham admitted she is not well versed on the topic of national security when asked by moderator Greta Van Susteren about whether Taiwan and the South China Sea represented national-security issues
Graham led Norman in the initial August 11 primary vote, but failed to clear the 50 percent threshold necessary to avoid a runoff.
She pumped her fist and danced a little bit as she walked on stage to music, then outlined her record serving South Carolinians as the head of a state agency.
She responded to those who argue she doesn’t have enough experience to serve in the U.S. Senate.
‘Now, the critics say I shouldn’t run for the Senate. They say I’m not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged,’ Graham said.
She drew parallels with Trump, who has endorsed her, saying he was never elected to any office before he became president
‘I think he’s done a damn good job,’ she said.
Graham urged people to vote for her in Tuesday’s runoff election against Rep. Ralph Norman ‘and take 10 friends with you.’
The winner will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November, with Republicans heavily favored in the traditionally red state.
But Graham’s campaign suffered a damaging blow earlier this week.
During Tuesday’s televised debate, she was asked about US security involving Taiwan and the South China Sea and acknowledged that she was ‘not that informed’ on national-security issues.
The answer immediately became the defining moment of the debate, handing Norman an opening to argue that voters need a more experienced senator.
‘South Carolina deserves a Senator who understands Foreign Policy. I’m a peace through strength supporter! No more forever wars!’ he wrote on X.
Graham has defended the response as a willingness to learn, arguing that South Carolina voters are more concerned with issues closer to home, including the economy and health care.
Trump also defended the remark when asked about it by the press earlier Friday.
‘She’s very smart. She’s into the price of groceries. She is going to do what the military wants, and really what the president wants. She understands that national security is my thing. I thought it was a very honest answer,’ he said.
But the episode has intensified scrutiny of her qualifications at precisely the moment her campaign needs to reassure Republican voters.
Graham also stumbled on the affordability crisis, telling the debate audience that 50 million people in South Carolina were living paycheck to paycheck. The state has around 5.5 million residents.
Graham has been racing to introduce herself to voters across South Carolina while repeatedly insisting she is ‘not a politician.’
The Trump loyalist has made his agenda central to her pitch, frequently highlighting her support for his policies and his endorsement of her campaign.
She has also pointed to her years running a state agency as proof she is ready for the job.
Among the priorities she has put front and center are Trump’s push for tougher border security and the SAVE Act, the Republican-backed voting bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has also backed Graham, while Representative Russell Fry, who finished third in the August 11 Republican primary, endorsed her ahead of the August 25 runoff.
Trump’s endorsement hasn’t been a guaranteed ticket to victory this election cycle, with a string of his hand-picked candidates falling at the Republican primary hurdle.
Among the biggest names to stumble were Mike Lindell, Andy Ogles and Cory Mills, underscoring the limits of Trump’s influence.
Trump’s previous endorsement of Pamela Evette in the South Carolina governor’s race also raised questions about his political judgment.
Though he initially backed Evette, once polls indicated Wilson with an advantage, Trump scurried to offer a late dual endorsement, which critics saw as a move to save face.