“Gold standard”: Trump joins S.C. Senator Darline Graham in final tele-rally before vote

SOUTH CAROLINA. (WTOC) -Hours before South Carolinians head to the polls for a high-stakes Republican primary, President Donald Trump dialed in his support for appointed Senator Darline Graham in a last-minute push to protect her late brother’s legacy.

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to select the Republican nominee to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham on the ballot. Darline Graham, who currently holds the seat after receiving an appointment from Governor Henry McMaster.

The tele-rally kicked off with Graham thanking participants and emphasizing the national importance of the vote.

“Thank you for joining this call. I know your time is valuable; tomorrow’s Republican primary election is important for future of South Carolina and the nation,” Graham said.

During the call, Trump threw his complete backing behind Graham, urging voters to support the sister of Lindsey Graham.

“She has my complete and total endorsement, has right from the beginning. She fully supports the Trump agenda and will help us achieve our mission,” Trump said. He added, “She’s tough. She looks so nice but she’s actually tough. She’s strong and she’s the perfect person to carry on Lindsey’s legacy.”

In addition to the endorsement, Trump and Graham discussed core conservative values, including locking down the southern border, removing dangerous illegal gang members and drug dealers, growing the economy, and keeping biological boys out of girls’ sports.

Graham also took time to defend her experience running a state agency that helped blind residents find employment, shifting the focus away from Washington insiders back to local families.

“I’m not a politician, I’m a mother and a grandmother who knows the struggles of South Carolina families because I lived them too. I’m a problem solver and a committed conservative fighter,” Graham said.

Despite the high-profile endorsement, Graham faces a fierce challenge on Tuesday. Several of the other nine candidates in the primary have urged voters to reject the governor’s appointment, pushing for a fresh, non-establishment conservative to represent the state in Washington.

Polls across South Carolina will open on Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.