Sen. Darline Graham used her first television interview since the sudden death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, to announce that she will seek a full term representing South Carolina.
The newly appointed Republican made the decision public Monday during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, only days after being sworn into the seat her brother held.
Graham’s appointment made history twice. She became South Carolina’s first female US senator and the first sister of a lawmaker ever appointed to the upper chamber.
Now she wants voters to keep her there.
The decision comes under extraordinary personal and political pressure. South Carolina’s filing period for the special Republican primary runs from July 21 through July 28, forcing Graham to make a career-altering choice before her brother’s funeral services have even concluded.
“It is a tremendous amount of pressure,” Graham told Hannity.
She said prayer, conversations with her family and the backing of Lindsey Graham’s Senate staff helped her reach the decision.
“I have been praying a lot, talking to my family,” Graham said. “But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff, I know I’m a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsey.”
She also pointed to her own decades of service in South Carolina, making clear that her campaign will not rest solely on her famous last name.
“He cared about the people of this state,” Graham said of her brother. “I have worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state.”
For Graham, the final calculation appeared to be as personal as it was political.
“I feel like I can do it,” she said. “I feel an inner peace about it.”
Hannity then pushed for a definitive answer. Graham did not hedge.
“I’m in,” she declared.
Watch the clip above — and the full interview tonight on Hannity.
