Darin Graham’s Senate race: Nancy Mace questions Trump-backed candidate, ‘not even sure she’s qualified’
represent Nancy Mace Questions raised about Sen. Darin Graham’s eligibility to appear in Congress south carolina The Republican primary broke President Donald Trump’s support for Graham’s bid for a full term in the Senate.
Mace, a South Carolina Republican, said she respects Graham’s decision to run after the death of her brother, the longtime senator. Lindsey Grahambut questioned whether she met the requirements to run.
“Obviously, I feel for her and the loss of Lindsey Graham, who the entire state is mourning right now,” Mace told Fox Digital News. “She was in power for the next six months and what she did was admirable and honorable, but she had no record and I’m not even sure she was eligible to be on the ballot.”
Graham, who was appointed to temporarily fill the Senate vacancy created by the death of her brother, has announced that she will seek a full term in the upcoming Republican special primary.
Nancy Mace questions eligibility to vote
Mace said her concerns were related to South Carolina’s Republican primary participation rules and claimed it was unclear whether Graham voted in enough Republican primaries to qualify.
“It’s unclear whether she voted in enough Republican primaries,” Mace said.
She added: “Under new state election laws this July, you had to vote in the last two of the past three Republican primaries, but it’s unclear whether she did that.”
Mace is not the only Republican to question Graham’s qualifications. South Carolina Republican Party Chairman C.J. Westfall said he is conducting a formal review to determine whether Graham meets the party’s candidacy requirements.
Westfall said the request came after discussions with constituents who expressed concerns about Graham’s political experience and voting history.
Trump backs Darrin Graham, Mace backs rival
Despite these doubts, Trump publicly endorsed Graham’s Senate campaign. After meeting her at the White House, the president posted on the Truth social networking site: “Run honey, run.”
However, Mace turned to Rep. Ralph Norman, calling him a reliable conservative voice. “He’s a proven conservative,” Mays said. “He doesn’t give in, he doesn’t back down, and he has a 100 percent conservative voting record.”
“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put a conservative in this seat in the United States Senate. We won’t get that opportunity again anytime soon,” she added. Mace herself was considered a potential contender for the Senate seat but announced she would not run.
Also read: Darline Graham Nordone Net Worth: How much does Lindsey Graham’s sister make?
While Trump’s support often influences Republican primaries, Mace said South Carolina voters may not simply follow the president’s preferences.
“I think you’re going to see voters in South Carolina seem to be a little more conservative… They’re very conservative, but they’re also very independent,” she said. “Independent Conservatives.”
“They voted the way they wanted to, not because someone told them to. I think you’re going to see that in this campaign.”
