Darline Graham has made her decision: She will run for the full six-year U.S. Senate term that her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, once held.

The announcement came just nine days after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death and one week after Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline to fill the final months of his current term as the first woman ever to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate, a temporary role that expires on January 3, 2027.

President Trump had personally urged her to enter the race, promising his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and calling her a “true American Patriot” who could carry forward her brother’s legacy.

Graham has spent nearly three decades in public service, including as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and work with Clemson University and two state workforce and rehabilitation agencies.

The South Carolina Election Commission set a tight timeline: candidate filings open on July 21 and close on July 28, with the Republican primary scheduled for August 11. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff will be held on August 25.

Graham said she had spent days praying and talking with her family before reaching the decision. She acknowledged the pressure but expressed confidence in her ability to serve and found “an inner peace” about moving forward.

Her entry has intensified the Republican field, with Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Russell Fry already entering the race.

The eventual nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November. In a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since the 1990s, this race is expected to be pivotal.

With only three weeks to build a campaign, raise funds, and persuade voters, Graham’s decision comes at a critical time. President Trump’s endorsement is seen as vital in this sprint.