Trump to Rally for Darline Graham Ahead of South Carolina GOP Runoff

President Donald Trump is set to visit South Carolina on Friday for a last-minute rally in support of Sen. Darline Graham, his chosen candidate in the state's Republican Senate runoff. The primary election, scheduled for Tuesday, will determine whether Graham or Rep. Ralph Norman becomes the GOP nominee for the November ballot.

The Myrtle Beach event marks a rare campaign appearance for Trump this year, underscoring the importance he places on securing a victory for his pick. It also offers the president a chance to rally in friendly territory, as South Carolina has not elected a Democrat statewide in decades and Trump won the state's 2016 presidential primary.

Graham, a political newcomer, was appointed interim senator by Gov. Henry McMaster after the sudden death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Trump encouraged her to run, calling the appointment a "fabulous tribute" to Lindsey. He has since endorsed her fully, posting "RUN DARLINE, RUN" on social media and holding a tele-rally for her ahead of the initial primary.

On the campaign trail, Graham has emphasized her support for Trump's agenda, including border security and the SAVE Act, while positioning herself as focused on kitchen-table issues. She has acknowledged her inexperience, saying she is "not a polished politician" after a recent stumble on a foreign policy question.

Trump's visit also carries personal significance, as he considered Lindsey Graham a close friend and ally, eulogizing him at a national memorial service last month. The rally in Myrtle Beach, a conservative stronghold, is part of a broader effort to energize voters in a region that has grown rapidly and remains loyal to the president.