US President Joe Biden's predecessor has weighed into the Republican politics of a key southern state, as Donald Trump threw his significant backing behind Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to secure a full six-year term representing South Carolina in the US Senate. Trump's endorsement is seen as a major game-changer in the special primary contest, which had already drawn several prominent Republican candidates.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged Darline Graham to "RUN" for election and praised her as a "WINNER all of her life". The former president spoke directly with Darline Graham at the White House before issuing his public call to arms, and claimed she was the ideal candidate to honour her brother's legacy. Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly last weekend at the age of 71, had been a key figure in US foreign policy and a long-serving Senator for South Carolina.
Darline Graham, who had not previously held elected office, will face stiff competition from several other Republican candidates vying for the seat. However, Trump's influential endorsement is likely to boost her chances significantly. The Republican victor of this special primary will then go on to face Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee, in the November midterm elections.
Lindsey Graham was a complex and polarising figure, initially critical of Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign but later becoming one of his strongest allies in the Senate. His death has sparked a scramble for his seat, with several prominent Republicans now seeking to succeed him. As the US continues to navigate a period of great change and upheaval, the implications of this special primary will be closely watched by British observers.