Governor McMaster to appoint Graham's temporary Senate replacement
Governor McMaster will appoint Graham's Senate successor to fill the vacant seat.
Event / Politics
South Carolina Senate Succession
Following Senator Lindsey Graham's death in July 2026, his sister Darline Graham was appointed to serve the remainder of his term, making her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. A special primary election is scheduled to determine the Republican nominee for the full six-year term.
4 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 12 Jul, 08:34 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Darline Graham has background in disability services and state government
Darline Graham has had a career in disabilities services and held the position of commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019. She also previously worked as communications and business services director for the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, and holds positions on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and as president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. She holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and is a certified public manager.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died unexpectedly at age 71
Four-term Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday night at age 71. According to preliminary findings by the D.C. medical examiner, he died of an aortic dissection.
Lindsey Graham became his sister's legal guardian at age 22
Lindsey Graham became the legal guardian of his sister Darline when he was 22 years old and she was 13, after both of their parents died within less than two years of each other. Lindsey Graham later legally adopted his sister after joining the Air Force so that she could receive military benefits.
South Carolina Governor appoints Darline Graham to Senate seat
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to fill her brother's Senate seat on July 13, one day after his death. The appointment was announced hours after President Donald Trump recommended her for the position on Truth Social.
Darline Graham sworn in as U.S. Senator from South Carolina
Darline Graham was sworn in on Tuesday, July 14 to fill the Senate seat vacated by the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. She was sworn in by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to a standing ovation. Darline Graham becomes the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate and the first sibling to directly succeed a deceased senator in U.S. history.
Potential Republican candidates emerge for South Carolina Senate seat
Republicans considering a run for the full Senate term include Rep. Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and Rep. Nancy Mace, all of whom ran unsuccessfully for governor in the recent election cycle. It remains unclear whether Darline Graham would seek a full six-year term.
Darline Graham will serve until early January 2027
Darline Graham was appointed to complete her brother's Senate term, which was set to last until early January 2027. She will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the current congressional session.
Special primary election scheduled for South Carolina Senate seat
South Carolina Republicans are expected to hold a special primary election on August 11 to pick a new Republican nominee for a full six-year Senate term. The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election in November.
Democrat Annie Andrews won South Carolina Senate Democratic nomination
Charleston pediatrician Annie Andrews won the Democratic nomination for South Carolina's 2026 Senate election. As of the end of May 2026, she had raised more than $8 million for the race and had just under $3 million cash on hand.
Special Republican primary scheduled for Graham's Senate seat
A special primary election will be held on August 11, 2026, to select a new Republican nominee for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat in the general election on November 3, 2026. The filing period begins on July 21, 2026. Potential candidates include Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, Representative Nancy Mace, Representative Russell Fry, and former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford.
President Trump endorses Darline Graham Nordone for Senate seat
President Donald Trump announced his support for Darline Graham Nordone to fill her brother Lindsey Graham's Senate seat, calling the selection 'a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly.'
Darline Graham Nordone appointed to fill remainder of Lindsey Graham's Senate term
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the late senator's sister, to serve the remaining months of Lindsey Graham's Senate term, which expires in January 2027. Nordone is expected to be sworn in on Wednesday, July 16, 2026, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
Senator Lindsey Graham dies at age 71 from aortic dissection
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday night at age 71. A preliminary medical examiner report indicated he suffered a tear in his aorta, known as an aortic dissection.
Senator Lindsey Graham dies from aortic dissection
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) died on Saturday night from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He was 71 years old, having just celebrated his birthday days before his death.
South Carolina Governor appoints Darline Graham Nordone to Senate seat
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the late Senator Lindsey Graham's sister, to fill the vacant Senate seat on Monday, July 13. Nordone will serve the remainder of Graham's term until January when it expires.
Republican primary scheduled for August to determine Graham's replacement on ballot
A special election will be held on August 11 to select the Republican nominee for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat on the November ballot. Graham was up for re-election this year, triggering the sprint primary process.
President Trump recommends Graham's sister for Senate appointment
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday recommending that South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appoint Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as interim Senator to fill the vacancy created by Graham's death.
Senator Lindsey Graham died from aortic dissection
Senator Lindsey Graham, South Carolina's senior senator, died on Saturday night from a tear in his aorta, known as an aortic dissection, according to a preliminary medical examiner report. Graham was running for a fifth term at the time of his death.
Alan Wilson wins South Carolina gubernatorial Republican nomination
State Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican nomination for South Carolina governor, defeating a field that included Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Representative Nancy Mace, and Ralph Norman. The June 23 runoff victory cleared the way for these candidates to pursue other political opportunities.
South Carolina Governor McMaster to appoint temporary Senate replacement
Governor Henry McMaster must choose a temporary replacement to serve until January following Senator Graham's death, while the state prepares a special primary to allow voters to select a new Republican nominee for the general election.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Graham returned from Ukraine hours before his death
Graham returned from Ukraine hours before his unexpected death at 71.
Aortic dissection caused senator's death at 71
Aortic dissection from family cardiovascular history caused Graham's death.
Graham's political journey spanned military service, foreign policy hawkishness
Graham's 30-year Senate career centered on military engagement and foreign policy hawkishness.
Trump pays tribute as Graham-Trump relationship evolved through tensions
Trump tributed Graham as their once-tense relationship evolved into reconciliation and support.
Graham's Ukraine advocacy shaped final chapter of geopolitical legacy
Graham's geopolitical influence extended to his final days through Ukraine advocacy and sanctions diplomacy.
South Carolina Governor to Name Graham's Senate Successor
South Carolina's governor to appoint a successor for Graham's Senate seat.
Graham's final Ukraine visit preceded his unexpected death
Graham visited Ukraine one week before his death, demonstrating his final diplomatic engagement.
World leaders mourn Senator Graham across continents
International leaders from the U.S., Israel, and Ukraine express condolences for Senator Graham.
Graham's Three-Decade Senate Career Ends at 71
Senator Lindsey Graham, a three-decade political fixture, died at 71 while returning from Ukraine.