Tim Scott doesn’t rule out Darline Graham running for her brother Lindsey’s Senate seat: “Why not her?”
Tim Scott Open to Darline Graham as Lindsey’s Senate Successor
Tim Scott doesn t rule out Darline – As the November contest to fill the vacant Senate position left by Lindsey Graham remains fluid, South Carolina Republican Senator Tim Scott has highlighted one potential contender: the late senator’s sister, Darline Graham, who currently serves as the interim replacement. When queried about whether she might seek the seat permanently, Scott offered a straightforward response to CBS News: “Why not her?” He noted that Darline has “so far been off to a remarkable start” in her new role.
Background on the Graham Family Connection
Scott, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee—the GOP’s primary fundraising vehicle—shared these observations during a press gathering commemorating Lindsey Graham. The senator’s unexpected passing over the weekend sent ripples through Washington. Having occupied the Senate since 2003, Lindsey Graham emerged as one of the chamber’s most influential figures, a status bolstered by his close ties to President Trump.
Earlier in the week, Scott commended Darline Graham for displaying both “grace and grit” after South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster selected her on Monday to complete her brother’s remaining term, which concludes in January. Reflecting on her composure during what Scott described as “one of the hardest days in her life,” he remarked, “I was, like, wow. A Graham is a Graham is a Graham.”
Historical Precedents and Current Contenders
Darline Graham would not be the first family member to assume a political position previously held by a relative. Representative Debbie Dingell currently occupies a Michigan House seat that her husband, John, held for many years. Similarly, Jean Carnahan received an appointment to Missouri’s Senate seat in 2001 following her husband’s death shortly after winning the election.
So far, Darline has not made public any intentions to pursue a full six-year term. During a news conference earlier this week, she committed to “work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother.”
A diverse group of South Carolina Republicans has emerged as potential candidates for the upcoming special GOP primary, though no clear leader has yet taken shape. The filing period runs from July 21 through July 28. Several state House members have signaled interest, though some senior Republicans prefer candidates outside the congressional delegation. Scott mentioned that “members of Congress and former Congress members” have contacted him expressing their ambitions, noting that “there certainly seems to be a long list of folks that want to get involved.”
Trump’s Potential Influence and Key Candidates
President Trump has not yet publicly endorsed any contender, though his support could prove decisive in a state he carried by nearly 18 points in 2024. According to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions, the president has privately shown interest in backing Representative Russell Fry. The Wall Street Journal initially reported this development.
“The president’s enthusiasm around Russell Fry probably is no surprise to anybody, but I have not seen and heard of an endorsement yet coming out of the White House,” Scott explained to CBS News. Fry first captured national attention in 2022 by defeating incumbent Republican Tom Rice, one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Trump has praised Fry, a close ally, as a “very, very talented person” and an “outstanding” congressman during a Newsmax interview earlier this week, adding: “He’s doing much better than the person who preceded him.” When asked about possible Graham successors, the president called Fry “somebody you could watch out for,” while acknowledging there are “probably some others.”
On Wednesday, Scott elevated former Representative Trey Gowdy as another possibility, stating he has an “affinity” for Gowdy and believes “he’d be an amazing senator for the state of South Carolina.” Gowdy, who gained national recognition for chairing a committee investigating Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s response to the Benghazi embassy attack, departed the House in 2019 and now hosts a program on Fox News. He has not yet declared whether he will enter the race.
Representatives Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace have both publicly stated they are considering Senate bids after unsuccessful runs in the GOP primary for South Carolina governor. Norman reported that he requested Trump’s endorsement but was told “it’s too early.” Mace may encounter obstacles given her sometimes inconsistent relationship with the president.
Meanwhile, Representatives Joe Wilson and William Timmons—both viewed as potential contenders for the Senate seat—have each ruled out a run. The two members of the state’s congressional delegation have stepped aside, leaving the field open for other Republicans eager to compete for Lindsey Graham’s legacy.