President Donald Trump on Friday urged South Carolina voters to support Sen. Darline Graham in next week’s Republican Senate runoff, saying she needs their votes to secure the party’s nomination for a full term.

Speaking to thousands of supporters in Myrtle Beach, Trump asked voters to turn out on Tuesday and back Graham against Rep. Ralph Norman.

“You have to get out and vote,” Trump said, urging what he called every South Carolina patriot to support Graham.

Graham is serving the remainder of the term of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly in July. She was appointed interim senator by Gov. Henry McMaster and entered the Republican primary with Trump’s strong backing.

Trump also acknowledged that Republican voters can be less interested in elections when he himself is not on the ballot. As he is serving his second and final presidential term, he asked supporters to act as if he were running.

“Pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said. “Just come and vote. It’s so important.”

Trump has repeatedly endorsed Graham, encouraging her to run before she officially launched her campaign. He again called her to the stage near the end of Friday’s rally, where she led supporters in chants of “U.S.A.”

Trump visits friendly territory
Trump began his remarks in a cheerful mood after Chief Justice John Roberts allowed construction to continue for now on a $400 million ballroom he is adding to the White House. The project is being challenged in federal court.

He also spoke about illegal immigration, reading lyrics from the 1960s song “The Snake,” a campaign tradition he has used to warn against unauthorized immigration.

Trump brought several Republican figures to the stage, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

He later urged voters to support Graham, saying her victory would help protect tax cuts and would also honor her late brother, who was a close ally of the president.

The rally was notable because Trump has made fewer campaign-style appearances this year than during previous midterm election cycles. His strong support for Graham highlights the importance he places on her winning the Republican nomination.

South Carolina remains a stronghold for Republicans. The state has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in decades, while only one Democrat represents the state in the House.

Graham stresses outsider image
Graham has presented herself as a political newcomer and sought to distinguish herself from Norman, who has served in the U.S. House since 2017.

“I am many things: a problem solver, a mother, a leader, but I am not a career politician,” she said.

Graham has repeatedly highlighted Trump’s endorsement and said she would work to advance his agenda if elected. She has identified border security and passage of the SAVE Act voting bill among her priorities.

She has also focused on issues affecting household budgets, including fuel prices and the cost of living, rather than foreign policy.

Earlier this week, Graham acknowledged during a debate that she was not fully informed on some national security issues after being asked about US interests in Taiwan. She said she was “not a polished politician.”

Trump defended her remarks on Friday, saying Graham was “being honest.”

“She’s surrounded by very good people, and she said that she’s totally for the military,” Trump told reporters before traveling to South Carolina.

The Republican runoff will determine whether Graham or Norman becomes the party’s nominee for the US Senate seat in the November election.