U.S. President Donald Trump reacts while U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) speaks during a campaign rally for her at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S., August 21, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
Former South Carolina Secretary of State Katrina Shealy, a Republican, spoke to CNN on Thursday just five days before the election and denounced his longtime friend Darline Graham, who is running to fill her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.), seat.
According to Shealy, nothing Graham is saying matches the person she has known Graham to be. Instead, the GOP former official said that she's supporting Democrat Annie Andrews.
Speaking to Boris Sanchez, Shealy said that she and Andrews will likely disagree on something but she is authentic and Shealy believes her. By contrast, Graham is "just following what people in thetrump campaign are telling herto do. And I believe that'swhat she'll continue to do. Ithink we need somebody torepresent our state that's goingto do the best thing for our state."
She explained that they need someone willing to stand up for the economy and those being hurt by the decisions in Washington and that isn't Graham.
"You know, groceryprices are higher, gas ishigher, you know, and, and itaffects those that are the lessfortunate," said Shealy. "It's not affectingthe legislators here becausethey have the financial means totake care of that. It affectsthose who can't take care of —those that are being affected bythe department of socialservices, those that are in the Department of Juvenile Justice,those type people. And I thinkthat's near and dear to Annie Andrew's heart. Not that Darlene doesn't care, but Ithink Darlene is listening tothe wrong side."
Sanchez noted that it sounds like she knows Graham well enough that she can say with knowledge that Graham is not saying what she feels personally.
"It sounds like you think thatshe's been led astray," said Sanchez.
"I've known Darlene for awhile," explained Shealy. You know, she was on theexecutive director for the Commission for the Blind, and Iwas the committee that actuallyappointed her to that position.I knew her before I helped workon Lindsey's campaign. When,you know, he was the senator in South Carolina. So we've knowneach other through politics andthose types of things. I think Darlene is a great woman. She'sgot a great family. So, I justbelieve that she's being swayedby the endorsement of Donald Trump. And, you know, sometimeswhen you're endorsed by somebody, you have to play the game instead of saying what you really feel."
She knows none of what Graham is saying is "in her heart. Maybe she feels as strongly toward Trump as, you know, she wants people to believe."
Sanchez asked if she thought Graham was qualified and if she'd be a good senator, and Shealy said she hopes so and has hope that Graham would lead with her heart and mind and not with orders from someone else.