Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to Fill His Senate Seat

Following the recommendation of President Donald Trump, the South Carolina governor announced that he was appointing Darline Graham Nordone to temporarily take over the vacant Senate seat left after the passing of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. Read on for the latest developments.

Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to Take Over Senate Seat

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has tapped Sen. Graham's sister to take over his seat in the U.S. Senate. Nordone spoke at a press conference alongside McMaster on Monday, accepting the position. She told reporters that “Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him," going on to note that “It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States.”

The 71-year-old senator died on Saturday evening from what his office said was a brief but sudden illness. It was later revealed by the Washington, D.C. medical examiner that the stalwart Republican leader likely died of an aortic dissection.

Under South Carolina law, McMaster can appoint a temporary replacement to serve until Graham's term is officially over in early January.  Because Graham was running for reelection this year, the state will need to hold a special primary election to determine the GOP candidate to replace the long-term senator in the November midterm elections. This special primary election is now scheduled for August 11.

McMaster's recommendation came shortly after President Trump said that he recommended that South Carolina appoint Nordone to serve in the vacant seat. In a post on Truth Social, the president said that appointing Nordone to serve as interim senator "would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!"

Graham lost his parents at an early age. Because he never married or had children, his sister was his closest surviving relative.

Shortly after launching a failed presidential bid in 2015, Graham said that his sister would be the ideal person to take over his Senate seat. In an interview with C-SPAN, Graham said that “If she took a role on, she would be a great representative of our country. I can’t think of a better person to represent our country in an event than my sister.”

Reaction from the GOP About Nordone's Appointment

Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised McMaster’s appointment, saying that he was looking forward to welcoming Nordone to the chamber. In a post on X, Thune said that “Lindsey’s legacy will continue through Darline, and I look forward to welcoming her soon."

While Graham's 62-year-old sister has never held an elected office, she has a long history of serving in her home state of South Carolina. Nordone is currently working as a commissioner for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, carrying on her work advocating for people with disabilities.

When the pair's parents died within 15 months of each other in 1976, Nordone became an orphan at the age of 13. Graham stepped up to become his sister's legal guardian. At the time, he was serving as a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, giving his sister access to his military benefits.

Nordone went on to graduate from the College of Charleston. She now lives in Lexington, South Carolina.

The next question is who will emerge as the GOP winner of the August 11 special primary. There are a number of names being floated as possibilities to take over Graham's name on the ballot. These include Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman, and McMaster’s lieutenant governor, Pamela Evette. Whoever wins this primary will go on to face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in the November general election.

Republicans are clinging to their slim majority in the Senate, making every race important this year.

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