Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) questioned the effectiveness of his endorsement power Tuesday in South Carolina’s special GOP Senate primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Thune’s comments came after he declined to join President Donald Trump and much of the Senate GOP leadership in endorsing interim Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), who is seeking a full six-year term to fill her late brother’s seat. Thune lauded her as a “strong candidate” on Monday, but offered no plans to endorse, at least not “at the moment.”
“My endorsement probably isn’t helpful anyway to anyone that’s running in the primary right now,” Thune told reporters Tuesday. “She’s obviously made the decision. The president’s endorsed her.”
Thune’s assessment offered a cautious admission to the limits of his power in the party amid lingering frustration with the base about the Senate’s inability to pass the GOP’s voter ID and elections bill known as the SAVE America Act.
Graham Nordone was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) last week following Graham’s sudden death from a heart issue and was thought to be a temporary replacement. But she’s since announced her intention to seek a full six-year term that would begin in January 2027.
DARLINE GRAHAM NORDONE SIGNALS BREAK WITH LATE BROTHER’S DEFENSE-FOCUSED SENATE LEGACY
She’s set to face at least a few other opponents in the Aug. 11 primary, including Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Russell Fry (R-SC), and businessman Mark Lynch. Lynch lost to Graham in the initial June primary by nearly 28 points.
The nominee will take on Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.