Rep. Nancy Mace has raised doubts about whether Darline Graham, the sister of late Senator Lindsey Graham and a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, meets the qualifications to appear on South Carolina’s Republican primary ballot.
Mace noted that Graham has no prior political record and questioned whether she has satisfied the state’s new eligibility requirements, which mandate participation in recent Republican primary elections.
Despite these concerns, Darline Graham announced plans to run in the upcoming special primary election for a full Senate term.
She has highlighted her service during the past six months, but Mace remains skeptical, citing a lack of a voting history that would qualify her for the ballot.
South Carolina GOP Chairman CJ Westfall is also pursuing a formal review of Graham’s eligibility, following discussions with local voters about her limited experience and voting record.
The state’s July election law requires candidates to have voted in at least two of the last three Republican primaries, a condition that Mace argues is not clearly met by Graham.
In response, Mace has publicly endorsed Representative Ralph Norman as a dependable conservative alternative for the Senate seat.
Although she was once viewed as a potential contender for the position, Mace confirmed she will not enter the race.
Former President Trump has encouraged Graham to run, expressing confidence in her candidacy after a meeting with her at the White House.
Mace believes that South Carolina voters, while conservative, also display independent tendencies that may influence the outcome of the race.
