McMaster, Trump look to Graham's sister for Senate

President Donald Trump said Monday he wants South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to appoint Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of the late senator’s term.

One Republican familiar with McMaster’s plans said the governor intends to appoint Nordone to serve in the Senate for the rest of the year. This person was granted anonymity to discuss the decision.

McMaster is expected to announce his decision about who will replace Graham during a press conference later Monday afternoon.

“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina,” Trump said in a post on social media. “This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”

Even if she’s appointed, it’s unclear if Nordone would want to run for the full term. A number of South Carolina Republicans have already expressed interest in taking over Graham’s seat since his death Sunday, including Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).

Trump’s word carries significant weight in deeply conservative South Carolina, and his preference for a caretaker appointment triggers a wide-open primary to take Graham’s place as the Republican nominee for Senate.

In an interview on CNN on Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he spoke to both McMaster and Nordone on Sunday, and her appointment would make “a lot of sense.”

“I’ll let the governor make an announcement,” he said, but “I think in many respects it would be a way of extending Lindsey’s legacy here and certainly something that — if that’s what they decide to end up doing — I think there’d be a lot of support for it.”

State law stipulates that Republicans will have to run in a snap primary election on Aug. 11 –– but the significantly truncated runway ahead of the election benefits candidates who have recently run statewide campaigns, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Norman who both ran unsuccessfully for governor this cycle.

Cheyanne M. Daniels contributed to this report.