COLUMBIA, S.C. (Diya TV) — Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina announced Monday that she will run in the special election to succeed her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. The decision comes just days after President Donald Trump publicly encouraged her to seek the Republican nomination. As a result, the race for the Republican-held Senate seat is expected to draw national attention.

Graham made the announcement during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. She said she felt ready to take on the challenge and believed the decision was the right one.

“I feel like I can do it,” Graham said in a clip released before the interview aired. “I feel an inner peace about it.”

Her campaign begins only days after she took the oath of office as South Carolina’s temporary U.S. senator. Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to fill the vacancy after Lindsey Graham died on July 11. The appointment allows the state to maintain representation in the Senate until voters choose a permanent successor in the special election.

The filing period for the Republican primary begins Tuesday and closes on July 28. Voters will head to the polls for the special election on Aug. 11. Because South Carolina strongly favors Republicans in statewide races, the GOP contest will likely play a major role in deciding the next senator.

Trump has played a key role in Graham’s rapid rise. Soon after Lindsey Graham’s death, the president urged McMaster to appoint Darline Graham as interim senator. He described the move as a fitting tribute to her brother’s years of public service. Shortly afterward, Trump welcomed Graham to the Oval Office, where they met privately.

Last week, Trump again showed his support. He urged Graham to enter the race and promised his full endorsement if she became a candidate.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump praised Graham and called her a winner. He also said she came from an outstanding family and would continue her brother’s legacy if elected. His endorsement could carry significant influence among Republican voters across South Carolina.

Even so, Graham will face competition. Several well-known Republicans have already expressed interest in the race. Among them are U.S. Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman. Both lawmakers have built strong political profiles in the state and could attract broad Republican support during the campaign.

Although Graham has not held elected office before, she brings years of public service experience. She has spent much of her career helping people with disabilities find employment and improve their quality of life. Most recently, she served as commissioner of a South Carolina agency that supports residents who are blind. Supporters say her leadership experience and community work have prepared her for public office.

Her personal story also shaped her public image. Graham and her brother became especially close after tragedy struck their family. Their mother died from cancer, and their father died of a heart attack only 15 months later. Lindsey Graham, then 22, promised to care for his 13-year-old sister. That promise created a lifelong bond that remained strong throughout his Senate career.

For years, Darline Graham stayed out of politics. Instead, she focused on public service and often supported her brother from the sidelines. Now, however, she hopes to continue his work in Washington while building her own record in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Senate Republican leaders have avoided taking sides in the developing race. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday that Graham would be a strong candidate. However, he also made clear that he would not endorse anyone in the Republican primary.

Thune said Graham carries on her brother’s legacy while also bringing her own accomplishments to the campaign. He added that she has every right to compete alongside the other Republican candidates.

The coming weeks will test Graham’s ability to turn early national support into statewide voter backing. Her campaign will likely focus on her public service record, family story and Trump’s endorsement. At the same time, her rivals will work to convince Republican voters that they offer stronger experience and leadership.

As the filing deadline approaches, the South Carolina Senate race is quickly becoming one of the most closely watched Republican contests of the year. The outcome will determine who completes Lindsey Graham’s term and represents South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for years to come.