22 days ago
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) discusses Democrats' chances to take back both chambers of Congress in the midterms, saying he believes South Carolina Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews can beat Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.).
#meet #clyburn #democrats #carolina
#meet #clyburn #democrats #carolina
22 days ago
President Donald Trump said "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission over her coverage of his endorsements ahead of the midterm elections.
"Kristen Welker, the Unpopular 'Hostess' of the once great Meet the Press, now considered Meet the Fake Press, just stated that Donald Trump has 'mixed results' on his Endorsements of Candidates, when the recent WINS of Darline Graham and Mike Mazzei, stand at 100% for the U.S. Senate, and 98% for the U.S. House," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Aug. 30.
Trump added: "Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment. Unfortunately, she is not the only one."
NBC News told USA TODAY that "Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her" in an Aug. 30 statement.
Trump does have a strong 2026 endorsement record, but some candidates he supported lost recent primaries.
#meet
"Kristen Welker, the Unpopular 'Hostess' of the once great Meet the Press, now considered Meet the Fake Press, just stated that Donald Trump has 'mixed results' on his Endorsements of Candidates, when the recent WINS of Darline Graham and Mike Mazzei, stand at 100% for the U.S. Senate, and 98% for the U.S. House," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Aug. 30.
Trump added: "Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment. Unfortunately, she is not the only one."
NBC News told USA TODAY that "Kristen is one of the best in the business and we stand by her" in an Aug. 30 statement.
Trump does have a strong 2026 endorsement record, but some candidates he supported lost recent primaries.
#meet
27 days ago
Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha said Wednesday he expected President Trump's endorsement of Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) to lead to a wider margin of victory for her in Tuesday's GOP Senate runoff.
Rocha explained in an appearance on NewsNation's "Cuomo" that he thought Graham would win but "didn't think it would be this close" given Trump backed the senator.
She defeated Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) by just less than 5 points in the state's runoff, securing a spot on the general election ballot in place of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
The GOP nominee will now face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election, with Decision Desk HQ giving the Republican an 81 percent chance to win as of Tuesday.
Rocha, who advised Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) during his two unsuccessful presidential campaigns, noted that Darline Graham's narrow runoff victory does not lead him to believe Andrews will win.
#rocha #darline #lead #victory
Rocha explained in an appearance on NewsNation's "Cuomo" that he thought Graham would win but "didn't think it would be this close" given Trump backed the senator.
She defeated Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) by just less than 5 points in the state's runoff, securing a spot on the general election ballot in place of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
The GOP nominee will now face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election, with Decision Desk HQ giving the Republican an 81 percent chance to win as of Tuesday.
Rocha, who advised Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) during his two unsuccessful presidential campaigns, noted that Darline Graham's narrow runoff victory does not lead him to believe Andrews will win.
#rocha #darline #lead #victory
29 days ago
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) says Sen. Darline Graham is "ready for primetime" ahead of South Carolina's Republican runoff on Tuesday.
#south #republican
#south #republican
29 days ago
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman face South Carolina voters yet again Tuesday in a special Republican primary runoff to replace the late Lindsey Graham in the Senate, one month after his sudden death.
The two-week runoff window since the two Republicans were the top vote getters in an Aug. 11 primary has been a slugfest. Darline Graham — a political newcomer serving as interim replacement for her late brother — has struggled to define herself to voters who routinely backed Lindsey Graham in the heavily Republican state. Norman, who's served the better part of two decades in state and federal elected office, has stressed his experience to voters already aware of him from his years in Congress, plus an unsuccessful run for governor earlier this year.
In the background of all of this is President Donald Trump, the longtime Lindsey Graham ally who endorsed Darline Graham's candidacy to replace her brother in the November general election before she even entered the race, stumped for her in the state days ahead of the runoff and held a runoff-eve tele-rally with Graham.
On Monday, MAGA Inc., the super PAC that supports Trump and aligned Republicans — but has spent little thus far on Trump's picks in this year's midterms — infused nearly $830,000 into Graham's campaign for voter calls and text message blasts.
Among the unknowns are if Trump's backing is enough to boost the novice candidate with the famous last name, but whose political positions were previously unknown, across the finish line to the nomination. Also yet to be determined is if Norman's hard-line conservatism has an appeal statewide, two months after he finished third in the Republican governor's primary.
#norman
The two-week runoff window since the two Republicans were the top vote getters in an Aug. 11 primary has been a slugfest. Darline Graham — a political newcomer serving as interim replacement for her late brother — has struggled to define herself to voters who routinely backed Lindsey Graham in the heavily Republican state. Norman, who's served the better part of two decades in state and federal elected office, has stressed his experience to voters already aware of him from his years in Congress, plus an unsuccessful run for governor earlier this year.
In the background of all of this is President Donald Trump, the longtime Lindsey Graham ally who endorsed Darline Graham's candidacy to replace her brother in the November general election before she even entered the race, stumped for her in the state days ahead of the runoff and held a runoff-eve tele-rally with Graham.
On Monday, MAGA Inc., the super PAC that supports Trump and aligned Republicans — but has spent little thus far on Trump's picks in this year's midterms — infused nearly $830,000 into Graham's campaign for voter calls and text message blasts.
Among the unknowns are if Trump's backing is enough to boost the novice candidate with the famous last name, but whose political positions were previously unknown, across the finish line to the nomination. Also yet to be determined is if Norman's hard-line conservatism has an appeal statewide, two months after he finished third in the Republican governor's primary.
#norman
1 month ago
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) announced Friday he is backing GOP Rep. Ralph Norman (S.C.) in the race to serve a full term in the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) seat.
Sanford, who generally refrains from offering political endorsements, said in a statement shared on social media that he felt "compelled to offer" his perspective in the race after the national debt hit $40 trillion this week.
"As much as I would like to honor tradition and old friendships, the stakes are simply too high as our nation really is at a financial tipping point," the former governor said. "It's for these reasons and more that I will be voting for Ralph on Tuesday and respectfully ask that you do the same."
Sanford's endorsement comes ahead of the GOP primary runoff next Tuesday between Norman and Graham's sister, Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), who was tapped to serve out the remainder of the late senator's term.
The race advanced to a runoff after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in the state's Republican primary last week.
#ralph #former #serve #term
Sanford, who generally refrains from offering political endorsements, said in a statement shared on social media that he felt "compelled to offer" his perspective in the race after the national debt hit $40 trillion this week.
"As much as I would like to honor tradition and old friendships, the stakes are simply too high as our nation really is at a financial tipping point," the former governor said. "It's for these reasons and more that I will be voting for Ralph on Tuesday and respectfully ask that you do the same."
Sanford's endorsement comes ahead of the GOP primary runoff next Tuesday between Norman and Graham's sister, Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), who was tapped to serve out the remainder of the late senator's term.
The race advanced to a runoff after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in the state's Republican primary last week.
#ralph #former #serve #term
1 month ago
The midterm primary rush continues on Tuesday as voters in six states choose their parties' candidates in pivotal races that could decide control of Congress.
Most eyes will be on South Carolina, where Republicans are holding a special Senate primary to choose a new nominee following the sudden death of longtime incumbent Lindsey Graham in July. His sister, Darline Graham, was chosen by South Carolina's governor to fill her brother's seat until January. She announced a week later that she would run for a full six-year term.
Republicans aren't clearing the way for her nomination, though. Nine other candidates have jumped into the race, including GOP Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, and former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. Polls have shown Graham and Norman ahead of the field, but both are well short of the 50% support they'd need to avoid a runoff. If no one receives at least half the vote, the top two finishers will go to a runoff on Aug. 25.
In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has chosen not to seek another term, setting off a messy battle between the progressive and moderate wings of the party over who should be their nominee to replace him. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist state lawmaker, has held a consistent lead throughout the primary. But Evers has said he believes Hong may be too far to the left to defeat the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Tom Tiffany, in the general election. Instead, the governor has thrown his support behind Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who had briefly dropped out of the race before resuming his campaign with less than a month left in the primary. Polls suggest Crowley has an enormous amount of ground to make up if he wants to pull off a surprising victory.
From left: Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidates David Crowley and Francesca Hong during a primary debate in Milwaukee on July 28, 2026.
#graham #nominee #left
Most eyes will be on South Carolina, where Republicans are holding a special Senate primary to choose a new nominee following the sudden death of longtime incumbent Lindsey Graham in July. His sister, Darline Graham, was chosen by South Carolina's governor to fill her brother's seat until January. She announced a week later that she would run for a full six-year term.
Republicans aren't clearing the way for her nomination, though. Nine other candidates have jumped into the race, including GOP Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, and former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. Polls have shown Graham and Norman ahead of the field, but both are well short of the 50% support they'd need to avoid a runoff. If no one receives at least half the vote, the top two finishers will go to a runoff on Aug. 25.
In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has chosen not to seek another term, setting off a messy battle between the progressive and moderate wings of the party over who should be their nominee to replace him. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist state lawmaker, has held a consistent lead throughout the primary. But Evers has said he believes Hong may be too far to the left to defeat the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Tom Tiffany, in the general election. Instead, the governor has thrown his support behind Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who had briefly dropped out of the race before resuming his campaign with less than a month left in the primary. Polls suggest Crowley has an enormous amount of ground to make up if he wants to pull off a surprising victory.
From left: Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidates David Crowley and Francesca Hong during a primary debate in Milwaukee on July 28, 2026.
#graham #nominee #left
2 months ago
By Nolan D. McCaskill
WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's bid to install Lindsey Graham's sister as South Carolina's next senator has met unexpected resistance from Republican voters and rivals, setting up a crowded primary that will test the limits of Trump's political influence in one of his strongest states.
After Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at age 71 from a heart ailment, Governor Henry McMaster appointed his sister, Darline Graham, to serve the remainder of his term, which expires in January.
Trump called the appointment a "fabulous tribute" and urged voters to elect her to a full six-year term in the August 11 special election, promising his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
Some Republicans say Darline Graham is a fitting caretaker for her brother's seat but oppose Trump's push to elect her to a full term, arguing voters should choose from a field that remains crowded despite the president's endorsement.
#graham #lindsey #darline #elect
WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's bid to install Lindsey Graham's sister as South Carolina's next senator has met unexpected resistance from Republican voters and rivals, setting up a crowded primary that will test the limits of Trump's political influence in one of his strongest states.
After Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at age 71 from a heart ailment, Governor Henry McMaster appointed his sister, Darline Graham, to serve the remainder of his term, which expires in January.
Trump called the appointment a "fabulous tribute" and urged voters to elect her to a full six-year term in the August 11 special election, promising his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
Some Republicans say Darline Graham is a fitting caretaker for her brother's seat but oppose Trump's push to elect her to a full term, arguing voters should choose from a field that remains crowded despite the president's endorsement.
#graham #lindsey #darline #elect
2 months ago
By Nolan D. McCaskill
WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's bid to install Lindsey Graham's sister as South Carolina's next senator has met unexpected resistance from Republican voters and rivals, setting up a crowded primary that will test the limits of Trump's political influence in one of his strongest states.
After Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at age 71 from a heart ailment, Governor Henry McMaster appointed his sister, Darline Graham, to serve the remainder of his term, which expires in January.
Trump called the appointment a "fabulous tribute" and urged voters to elect her to a full six-year term in the August 11 special election, promising his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
Some Republicans say Darline Graham is a fitting caretaker for her brother's seat but oppose Trump's push to elect her to a full term, arguing voters should choose from a field that remains crowded despite the president's endorsement.
#senator #sister #crowded #elect
WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's bid to install Lindsey Graham's sister as South Carolina's next senator has met unexpected resistance from Republican voters and rivals, setting up a crowded primary that will test the limits of Trump's political influence in one of his strongest states.
After Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at age 71 from a heart ailment, Governor Henry McMaster appointed his sister, Darline Graham, to serve the remainder of his term, which expires in January.
Trump called the appointment a "fabulous tribute" and urged voters to elect her to a full six-year term in the August 11 special election, promising his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
Some Republicans say Darline Graham is a fitting caretaker for her brother's seat but oppose Trump's push to elect her to a full term, arguing voters should choose from a field that remains crowded despite the president's endorsement.
#senator #sister #crowded #elect
2 months ago
When President Donald Trump helped orchestrate Darline Graham's appointment to finish Sen. Lindsey Graham's term, many Republicans in South Carolina saw it as a fitting tribute to her late brother.
But four days later, following Trump's announcement that he wanted Graham to run for a six-year term, their feelings quickly flipped.
The president's decision to get behind a political unknown for a breakneck special election process is further testing his clout in South Carolina, a solidly red state where Republicans already this year have roundly rejected his first pick for the governor's race and his push to redraw the state's congressional maps. Behind the scenes, some Republicans are stewing as others fret that Trump is setting himself up for failure, once again, in the Palmetto State.
"The issue is that the president continues to get bad advice about South Carolina," said CJ Westfall, chairman of the Dorchester County GOP. "We certainly empathize with Darline — and even the president, as Lindsey was a really good friend of his — but he's certainly getting bad advice. We've got a lot more exciting options for this seat. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
When speaking privately to candidly discuss the race, GOP heavyweights in the state echo a growing number of social media posts lamenting "coronations" and "monarchies" — complaining that what could have been South Carolina Republicans' first open Senate primary in more than two decades now features an incumbent with the same surname.
#president #state #term
But four days later, following Trump's announcement that he wanted Graham to run for a six-year term, their feelings quickly flipped.
The president's decision to get behind a political unknown for a breakneck special election process is further testing his clout in South Carolina, a solidly red state where Republicans already this year have roundly rejected his first pick for the governor's race and his push to redraw the state's congressional maps. Behind the scenes, some Republicans are stewing as others fret that Trump is setting himself up for failure, once again, in the Palmetto State.
"The issue is that the president continues to get bad advice about South Carolina," said CJ Westfall, chairman of the Dorchester County GOP. "We certainly empathize with Darline — and even the president, as Lindsey was a really good friend of his — but he's certainly getting bad advice. We've got a lot more exciting options for this seat. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
When speaking privately to candidly discuss the race, GOP heavyweights in the state echo a growing number of social media posts lamenting "coronations" and "monarchies" — complaining that what could have been South Carolina Republicans' first open Senate primary in more than two decades now features an incumbent with the same surname.
#president #state #term
2 months ago
As the field for the race to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham takes shape, one prominent lawmaker is declining to dive into the arena hours after the contest was shaken up.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., opted against a bid after she strongly suggested that she'd throw her hat into the arena on Monday in a video statement. Last August, Mace launched a campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, but she finished a disappointing fifth out of five major candidates in last month's Republican primary.
"I want to be straight with you, I'm not running for the U.S. Senate, not because I'm backing down from a fight, but because the one I'm already in matters right now," Mace said.
"I'm not chasing another **** le, I'm chasing justice, justice for me, justice for other women and justice for every little girl who was told to stay silent," she continued. "That's where my focus is today, and that's where it's going to stay."
Fox News Channel's 'Hannity' To Air Exclusive First Interview With Sen Darline Graham On Monday
Her decision followed a move by Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., to take up her brother's mantle after she was appointed to finish off the remainder of her late brother's term. She made her decision to officially enter the upcoming special election after a push from President Donald Trump.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., opted against a bid after she strongly suggested that she'd throw her hat into the arena on Monday in a video statement. Last August, Mace launched a campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, but she finished a disappointing fifth out of five major candidates in last month's Republican primary.
"I want to be straight with you, I'm not running for the U.S. Senate, not because I'm backing down from a fight, but because the one I'm already in matters right now," Mace said.
"I'm not chasing another **** le, I'm chasing justice, justice for me, justice for other women and justice for every little girl who was told to stay silent," she continued. "That's where my focus is today, and that's where it's going to stay."
Fox News Channel's 'Hannity' To Air Exclusive First Interview With Sen Darline Graham On Monday
Her decision followed a move by Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., to take up her brother's mantle after she was appointed to finish off the remainder of her late brother's term. She made her decision to officially enter the upcoming special election after a push from President Donald Trump.
2 months ago
A comedian and social media personality says she delivered a cake bearing a provocative message about the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., to the senator's Capitol Hill office, according to posts she shared online.
"I just dropped this cake off at Lindsey Graham's office," Elizabeth Booker Houston wrote in a Tuesday X post. "Congratudolences, Darline! Your brother is burning in ***** , and now, you're working for the devil!"
She included a photo of the cake that featured a printed photograph of Graham smiling in a suit and tie.
Media Ghouls, Commentators Across Political Aisle Mock Lindsey Graham's Death With 'Good Riddance' Posts
White frosting bordered the cake, with blue icing roses decorating the top left corner and scattered around the edges. Across the top, the cake read, "CONGRATUDOLENCES!"—a play on the words "congratulations" and "condolences."
"I just dropped this cake off at Lindsey Graham's office," Elizabeth Booker Houston wrote in a Tuesday X post. "Congratudolences, Darline! Your brother is burning in ***** , and now, you're working for the devil!"
She included a photo of the cake that featured a printed photograph of Graham smiling in a suit and tie.
Media Ghouls, Commentators Across Political Aisle Mock Lindsey Graham's Death With 'Good Riddance' Posts
White frosting bordered the cake, with blue icing roses decorating the top left corner and scattered around the edges. Across the top, the cake read, "CONGRATUDOLENCES!"—a play on the words "congratulations" and "condolences."
