President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind an unexpected candidate to temporarily fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, urging South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to appoint the late senator’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve until a special election is held.

In a post Monday on Truth Social, Trump said he had personally recommended Graham’s sister for the appointment, calling it a fitting way to honor the longtime senator.

“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 wrote. “This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”

The recommendation carries added emotional weight because of the close relationship the siblings shared. After the deaths of their parents, Lindsey Graham legally adopted his younger sister and helped raise her.

Trump’s endorsement comes as South Carolina Republicans work behind the scenes to select an interim senator while also preparing for a special election to determine who will serve out the remainder of Graham’s term.

Gov. McMaster is expected to announce his appointment at 4 p.m. Monday but has so far declined to reveal his choice. His office has not publicly commented on the candidates under consideration.

Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina’s senior senator, also voiced support for appointing Graham’s sister to the vacant seat.

“Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, would be a fantastic pick to serve out the remainder of the Senate term,” Scott wrote on X. “After speaking with Darline, there is no one better who understands Lindsey’s love for family, our state, and our country.”

Earlier in the day, Scott had mentioned former Rep. Trey Gowdy and former Sen. Jim DeMint as possible interim appointees, emphasizing that he favored selecting someone who would simply hold the seat until voters could make the final decision in the upcoming election.

“I think in the next several hours or next day or so we’ll figure out who that person is,” Scott said. “I love Trey Gowdy and Jim DeMint has been in the conversation.”

He added, “[Graham’s] sister would be a wonderful placeholder as well. So we’ve got lots of candidates who could hold the place so that the voters decide. And remember the election starts August the 11th in South Carolina, three weeks from now, we’ll have a primary process.”

Both Gowdy and DeMint have previously served in Congress—Gowdy as a member of the House of Representatives and DeMint as a U.S. senator before Scott succeeded him. Darline Graham Nordone, by contrast, has never held elected office.

According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, Scott, who serves as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has been encouraging Gov. McMaster to appoint someone who would act solely as a caretaker and would not seek a full six-year Senate term.

While the contest to become the temporary senator appears to be nearing its conclusion, the Republican race for the seat itself remains unsettled. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman have both signaled interest in entering the special election, which is scheduled to begin with a primary on August 11. Rep. Joe Wilson has already announced that he intends to remain in the House, while the rest of South Carolina’s Republican congressional delegation has yet to disclose its plans.

{Matzav.com}