President Donald Trump has made a strong push for Darline Graham as she faces Rep. Ralph Norman in a South Carolina Senate runoff. Trump joined Graham at a rally in Myrtle Beach on Friday. He urged voters to support her and linked her campaign to his own political agenda. “We’re going to elect Senator Darline Graham,” Trump told the crowd. He said Graham would fight for South Carolina and keep America first. The race has gained more attention after Graham faced criticism during a recent debate. She was asked about the US relationship with Taiwan and admitted that she was not well informed on national security. Graham also said national security was not her main area. Her comments quickly drew concern from some Republicans who questioned whether she was ready for the Senate. Trump rejected those concerns before the rally. He said Graham was simply being honest about her background. He also said she has strong advisers and supports the military. “She was just being honest,” Trump said. He added that Graham supports the military and his agenda. Graham entered the runoff after finishing first in the opening vote. She received about eight points more support than Norman. The result set up a close final contest. Graham is the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, a major figure in South Carolina politics. He served in Congress for 31 years before his death last month. Trump spoke about his friendship with Lindsey Graham during the rally. He said Lindsey respected Darline more than almost anyone else. Trump had also supported Darline Graham before she officially started her campaign. He backed her bid to fill the rest of her brother’s Senate term. That early support helped Graham gain a place in the race. But Trump’s record with endorsed candidates has faced more questions in recent weeks. Several candidates supported by Trump have lost Republican primaries this year. Recent losses include races in South Carolina, Wyoming and Florida. Trump backed candidates have also fallen short in Georgia, Michigan and Iowa. Mike Lindell, a close Trump ally and former MyPillow chief, also lost a Minnesota governor primary. The results do not mean Trump has lost his influence. But they show that his endorsement does not always guarantee a win. Trump has often supported candidates through social media posts and remote events. His personal visit to South Carolina marks a larger show of support for Graham. The president also said he plans to spend a large amount of money to help Republican candidates he supports. He did not give a clear figure for the South Carolina race. Gov. Henry McMaster also endorsed Graham before Trump arrived. McMaster praised her work and said she had stayed close to Trump’s America First agenda. Graham used the rally to answer attacks on her lack of political experience. She said critics were right that she was not a career politician. “Guilty as charged,” Graham told the crowd. She then pointed to Trump. He also had no elected office experience before winning the presidency in 2016. The message was clear. Graham wants voters to judge her on her support for Trump and her goals, not only on her past political record. Norman, however, has a strong argument of his own. The congressman can point to his experience in Washington and use Graham’s debate answer to question her readiness. The national security issue may remain central until voters make their choice. Taiwan is a major issue in US foreign policy, and the region is closely linked to US ties with China. Trump has tried to move attention away from the debate. Instead, he has focused on Graham’s support for his agenda, her views on affordability and her support for conservative issues. He also warned that Republicans face major risks if they lose control of Congress in the midterm elections. Trump said Democrats could investigate him and seek another impeachment if they gain power. For Graham, the runoff is now a test of her own political strength and Trump’s ability to rally Republican voters. Trump made his message simple during the rally. He asked voters to think of the race as if he were personally on the ballot. “Just say that I’m on the ballot one more time,” he said. The result will show whether that appeal is enough to carry Graham across the finish line.