Darline Graham, a longtime advocate for disability rights, is competing against Representative Ralph Norman, the vice chair of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus, in a special Republican Senate runoff election to succeed her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July.
Except for occasional public appearances alongside her brother, Ms. Graham, 62, had lived a quiet life with her family in the suburbs of Columbia, S.C., until she decided to run for the Senate. Here are five things to know about her.
1. President Trump endorsed Ms. Graham. He decided to support her after a meeting in the Oval Office, surprising many in South Carolina who assumed he would endorse Russell Fry, a two-term congressman and loyal ally. Since then, Mr. Trump has called high-level officials in South Carolina and urged them to support Ms. Graham. Last week, he traveled to Myrtle Beach to rally on her behalf. On Monday, he held a “tele-rally” with her.
2. Ms. Graham stumbled during a high-stakes debate. Asked about the importance of Taiwan to U.S. interests, she acknowledged that she was “not that informed on national security.” The moment magnified her biggest vulnerability, reviving questions about her level of political experience. She has since defended the gaffe by saying she does not “speak politician” and insisting that “people in South Carolina are more worried about boys in girls’ sports.”
3. She was exceptionally close to Mr. Graham. The siblings formed a tight bond after losing both of their parents in a 15-month stretch when Ms. Graham was 13 and Mr. Graham was 22. Mr. Graham later became his sister’s legal guardian. As the closest living relative of the longtime senator, who never married, Ms. Graham often played the role of political spouse — sharing personal stories about a man largely uncomfortable talking about himself.
4. She is a widely respected advocate for people with disabilities. Ms. Graham dedicated most of her life to helping people with disabilities find jobs, most recently as commissioner of a state agency for blind residents. People who worked with Ms. Graham described her as a skilled relationship-builder who has made a significant impact on behalf of people with disabilities.
5. She is already in the Senate. Gov. Henry McMaster, prodded by Mr. Trump, named Ms. Graham to serve out the remainder of Mr. Graham’s term, making her the state’s first female senator. After she announced a bid for the full six-year term, Mr. McMaster initially stayed out of the race. He endorsed Ms. Graham the day the president, his longtime ally, traveled to his state.
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