President Donald Trump is making an extra effort to support Sen. Darline Graham in deeply conservative South Carolina.
This focus has left Republicans in key battleground states questioning when they will receive similar attention. They acknowledge that Trump’s campaign visit is partly due to his strong connection with the candidate’s late brother, Lindsey Graham. However, this has puzzled many supporters of Graham’s opponent, as South Carolina is not a crucial state for maintaining GOP control in Washington. Trump will host a campaign rally for Graham on Friday in Myrtle Beach, just days before her runoff against Republican Rep. Ralph Norman.
This approach contrasts with Trump’s quieter campaign strategies for battleground candidates in Georgia, Michigan, and Texas, which have typically involved supportive social media posts and, occasionally, a telerally just before Election Day.
Randy Page, a veteran Republican operative in South Carolina supporting Norman, remarked, “It’s going to be a red seat. If I were the president, I’d advise him to focus on states like Georgia and North Carolina instead of flying over them.”
GOP strategists working with candidates who could benefit from Trump’s influence are eager to see if he will extend similar efforts to their races later this year.
“He’s coming in person for Darline Graham and hasn’t done much else in battleground states,” said a GOP operative involved in races in Georgia, granted anonymity to speak openly. “He can potentially boost Republicans’ chances more than anyone else. The question is, will he?”
Trump’s visit to Myrtle Beach marks a significant return to the campaign trail, as his previous appearances were mostly linked to official White House business. This visit is crucial for Graham, who seeks a boost after a recent debate blunder on foreign policy.
Earlier this month, Trump visited Nevada with Gov. Joe Lombardo for an event focused on tax cuts, aimed at aiding the governor’s reelection. In July, he traveled to Atlanta to support GOP Rep. Mike Collins’ Senate bid against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, and in June, he attended a roundtable with GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin.
Trump’s recent travel is less frequent than in the past. During the 2018 midterms and his 2024 election campaign, he was highly active, but his travel has been limited since facing two assassination attempts in the same year.
The rally on Friday is the type of support some Republican candidates wish they had during their contentious primaries. Those involved in competitive general election races hope it indicates further presidential support before November.
Trump’s significant influence and control over the Republican Party have impacted several primaries this year, but his role in securing congressional control this fall through appearances and his $400 million MAGA Inc. fund remains uncertain.
For Republicans in battleground states, Trump’s appearance with Graham on Friday highlights how little time he spent on the campaign trail during the primaries.
Matt Mackowiak, a Republican strategist in Texas who worked with Sen. John Cornyn, noted, “Posting on True Social and holding a tele-town hall has been the extent of his support for most endorsed candidates. This visit is different.”
The White House dismissed concerns about Trump’s focus on South Carolina over other states in a statement.
“President Trump is the clear leader of the Republican party committed to maintaining a majority in Congress,” said spokesperson Olivia Wales. “He will continue to highlight his agenda while contrasting it with radical Democrats in Congress.”
Many Republicans attribute Trump’s rally to his long-standing relationship with Lindsey Graham, whom Darline and Norman are vying to replace.
Mackowiak commented, “This situation is unique. It’s partly about Lindsey and doing what he believes Lindsey would have wanted.”
Regardless of the reason for the visit, Trump’s presence is a significant boost for Graham’s campaign, which is eager to leverage this rare in-person moment, especially as she faces criticism over her political inexperience. Abby Zilch, Graham’s spokesperson, stated that Trump sees Darline as a true MAGA ally who will advance his agenda.
Graham recently stumbled in a debate, admitting she was “not that informed on national security” when asked about U.S. interests in Taiwan. Norman’s supporters quickly highlighted this as evidence of her being “underprepared.”
An insider with knowledge of Graham’s campaign strategy acknowledged the error but claimed she addressed it during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity. The focus now is on Trump’s visit: “The rally will dominate statewide media for days,” said the insider. “The Trump endorsement is significant, but his in-state presence is more impactful. President Trump is fully committed.”
If Graham fails on Tuesday, it could be a notable setback for Trump, who advocated for her Senate appointment to complete her brother’s term and encouraged her Senate run with his support.
Trump has faced challenges in South Carolina before: His initial choice for governor, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, lost momentum to Attorney General Alan Wilson, leading to a last-minute dual endorsement.
Many Norman supporters believe Trump should redirect his attention, even if they align with him on most issues.
State Rep. Jordan Pace, supporting Norman, said, “States like Michigan, Ohio, Alaska, Maine, and Texas are at risk of falling to Democrats. That’s where resources and attention should be directed.”
