South Carolina's Graham to campaign for GOP in 12 states

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham is hitting the campaign trail to stump for Republicans in U.S. House and Senate races across the country as the party tries to maintain control of both chambers.

The Republican National Committee tells The Associated Press the South Carolina Republican is traveling to 12 states over 12 days to campaign for Republican candidates.

RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel says President Donald Trump has enlisted his ally Graham in trying to marshal the party's energy following contested hearings over Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Graham gave an impassioned defense of Kavanaugh during Senate Judiciary committee hearings last month. The RNC says he will make stops in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Graham next faces voters for re-election in 2020.