Trump urges South Carolinians to make Sen. Darline Graham the GOP nominee for US Senate
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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- President Donald Trump sought Friday to boost Sen. Darline Graham's effort to win a full term, telling thousands of supporters that the first step toward keeping her as their senator involves helping the political newcomer triumph in a Republican runoff next week.
The Republican president also begged them to pretend that he's on the ballot Tuesday -- even though he is not -- if that will help get them out to vote.
Voters will decide Tuesday whether Graham or Rep. Ralph Norman will be the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate on the ballot in November.
"You have to get out and vote," Trump said about Darline Graham, who is serving out the remainder of the term of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly in July. "And we need every South Carolina patriot to go to the polls and vote for Darline Graham."
Trump nodded to the reality that Republican base voters lose interest in elections when he is not a candidate for office, as is the case this year. Trump is serving his second and final term as president.