Graham hopes Trump propels her across finish line in South Carolina

descriptions off, selected

captions settings, opens captions settings dialog

captions off, selected

This is a modal window.

Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

End of dialog window.

Tight South Carolina Senate race tests Trump's endorsement power | THE HILL EDITOR'S CALL

Tight South Carolina Senate race tests Trump's endorsement power | THE HILL EDITOR'S CALL

The South Carolina Senate runoff on Tuesday is becoming a key test of President Trump’s endorsement power, as he throws all his weight behind a political newcomer seeking to fill shoes left by her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). 

The race has divided the party between those who back Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), who was tapped to serve out her brother’s term and whom Trump encouraged to run for another six years, and supporters of Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus with a long history of representing the state.  

Trump has leaned into the race in a way he has rarely done this midterm cycle, holding a campaign rally Friday night in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for Graham and attaching his own political clout to the outcome.

“What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important,” Trump told supporters at a rally for Graham Friday night in Myrtle Beach.

“So just say that I’m on the ballot one more time,” the president added. “You got to say it, and you got to come out and vote.”

Trump’s MAGA Inc. also spent over $827,000 for Graham, marking the super PAC’s first independent expenditure since March.

Graham’s support has come from establishment Republicans, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the president himself, political action committees and business executives. The Palmetto State’s governor, who appointed Graham to her brother’s seat, is campaigning with the senator on Monday. 

Norman, meanwhile, has self-funded much of his campaign and has leaned on his conservative policy chops, while accusing Graham of being “controlled by the Washington elite.”

But with such a short........

© The Hill