Lindsey Graham

LATE Senator Lindsey Graham’s sister has told President Donald Trump she is considering running for a full term in his Senate seat, just days after being sworn in as his replacement.

Darline Graham revealed her interest during a private White House meeting on Thursday.

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Semafor reported that the behind-closed-doors discussion took place during a meeting with Trump at the White House in Washington, DC.

Trump publicly piled on the pressure Friday by urging the newly appointed senator to launch a full campaign.

“I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The president promised her his “Complete and Total Endorsement” before declaring: “RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”

Graham has not formally announced her candidacy and has remained publicly silent about whether she will enter the race.

The 62-year-old had never held public office before being appointed to the Senate this week.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster selected her to finish the term of her brother, Lindsey Graham, following his death Saturday.

She was sworn in Tuesday as the first woman to represent South Carolina in the US Senate.

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Just two days later, she joined Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal in introducing a major Russia sanctions bill previously championed by Lindsey.

The measure has more than 60 co-sponsors and targets countries that continue buying Russian oil.

Her interim appointment had initially been designed to buy the Trump administration more time to choose which Republican to support in the primary.

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It was also expected to keep the eventual candidate free from Senate duties while they raced through the shortened campaign.

McMaster had reportedly not contemplated that Graham herself might seek the seat when he selected her.

A bid would force the Senate newcomer to balance her new job with a frantic campaign lasting only a few weeks, The Associated Press reported.

Candidates can file between July 21 and July 28 before Republicans vote in the August 11 primary.

A runoff will follow two weeks later if nobody secures a majority.

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Businessman Mark Lynch, who lost to Lindsey Graham in last month’s GOP primary, has already said he plans to compete again.

Other possible contenders include Representatives Nancy Mace, Russell Fry and Ralph Norman.

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and former Representative Mark Sanford are also considering joining the crowded field.

Trump had previously shown interest in backing Fry, describing the congressman as “very, very talented” and someone to “watch out for.”

Senator Tim Scott has also floated former Representative Trey Gowdy, saying the Fox News host would be an “amazing senator.”

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But Scott praised Graham’s first days in office and said she could be a “seriously good fit for the state.”

Texas Senator Ted Cruz told Semafor: “Like many Republicans, I am waiting to see what the president decides, and watching with great interest.”

A Graham victory could also protect Speaker Mike Johnson’s razor-thin House majority by stopping a sitting representative from leaving for the Senate.

Whoever wins the GOP contest will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November.

The pediatrician has roughly $4 million available for the campaign and is viewed by party strategists as a credible opponent.

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The November winner will secure a full six-year term lasting until January 2033.

Lindsey Graham died aged 71 after suffering a tear in his aorta, according to a preliminary medical finding.