U.S. Senator for South Carolina Darline Graham Nordone, sister of late Senator Lindsey Graham, reacts after being ceremonially sworn in by U.S. Senate President pro tempore Chuck Grassley (R-IA) during an event on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Darline Lettie Graham Nordone, appointed to fill her late brother Sen. Lindsey Graham's South Carolina Republican Senate seat following his unexpected death from a heart-related illness, faced scrutiny for dropping her married name on her campaign.
After serving her late brother's term, Darline will seek a full term, she announced on Monday.
Her website lists her as "Darline Graham," despite being married to Lawrence Andrew Nordone since 2006, with whom she has two daughters.
Political strategist Keith Edwards called the move "sinister" on social media.
Trump's endorsement of Nordone has infuriated South Carolina GOP leadership, who expressed uncertainty about her political ideology and voting record, as she has led a private life and never held elected office.
GOP chair CJ Westfall told Politico, "We don't know how she votes. We don't know what she believes."
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