Darline Graham Officially Appointed to Fill Brother's Senate Seat
Darline Graham officially appointed to fill her brother's vacant Senate seat.
Event / Politics
South Carolina Senate 2026
Special election process following Senator Lindsey Graham's death in July 2026. Governor McMaster appointed interim replacement; primary scheduled for Republican nomination.
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 18 Jul, 02:30 UTC
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What happened
Republican special primary scheduled for South Carolina Senate seat
South Carolina Republicans are holding a special primary in two weeks to decide the Republican nominee for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat. Eight candidates are competing for the nomination, including former Gov. Mark Sanford and U.S. Representatives Ralph Norman and Russell Fry.
Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at age 71
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly on July 11 at his home in Washington. Preliminary findings indicate the cause was likely an aortic tear. He had just returned from a NATO summit in Turkey, where he celebrated his 71st birthday, and a visit to Ukraine.
Darline Graham appointed to fill brother's Senate seat
Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Lindsey Graham's younger sister Darline Graham to hold his Senate seat until January 2027. Darline Graham subsequently decided to run for the full six-year term herself.
President Trump and foreign leaders attend Graham's memorial service
President Donald Trump attended a memorial service for Sen. Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, alongside foreign leaders. Trump called Graham 'a giant of the United States Senate, a true American original who left us much too soon.'
Senate advances sanctions package as tribute to Graham
The U.S. Senate voted late Tuesday to advance a package of sanctions, described as a final gesture for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had recently negotiated punishing sanctions against Russia during his visit to Ukraine.
Lindsey Graham's funeral held in Columbia, South Carolina
Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral was held Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. His body was brought to the South Carolina Statehouse where he began his political career in 1993 for a law enforcement ceremony and military jet flyover. He was buried in a private ceremony near his home in Pickens County.
Poll shows no clear frontrunner in Senate Republican primary
A poll conducted by News 2 and Emerson College showed no clear frontrunner in the Republican primary race, with Rep. Ralph Norman leading at 16 percent, followed by Mark Lynch at 13 percent. Rep. Nancy Mace and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette each received 10 percent, Russell Fry 9 percent, and Gov. Henry McMaster 8 percent. Darline Graham received 6 percent while former Gov. Mark Sanford got 5 percent. Eighteen percent of voters were undecided.
Rep. Russell Fry announces candidacy for South Carolina Senate seat
Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) announced on July 20 that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Lindsey Graham's death. Fry stated he would be a 'conservative MAGA candidate' in the special primary Senate election.
Trump expresses support for Russell Fry's Senate candidacy
President Donald Trump told Newsmax on July 21 that Russell Fry is 'outstanding' and stated 'I think he's a very, very talented person,' appearing to back Fry for the Senate seat.
Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after brief illness
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) died on July 11 after a brief and sudden illness. His death left his U.S. Senate seat vacant.
Trump endorses Darline Graham Nordone for Senate seat
President Donald Trump gave his 'complete and total endorsement' to Darline Graham Nordone on July 17 if she chose to run for the Senate seat in South Carolina's special Republican primary on August 11, 2026. Trump met with Nordone in the Oval Office that day and encouraged her to run for a full term.
Special Republican primary scheduled for August 11, 2026
South Carolina's special Republican primary to select the party's nominee for the Senate seat will be held on August 11, 2026. Candidates can officially file for the primary between July 21 and July 28. Early voting will occur August 5-7. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of votes, the top two finishers will compete in an August 25 runoff.
Darline Graham Nordone appointed interim senator
Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was sworn in as interim senator on July 14 to serve out the remainder of her brother's term through the end of the 119th Congress on January 3, 2027. She was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.
Multiple candidates enter South Carolina Senate Republican primary
Multiple candidates announced campaigns for the South Carolina Senate seat, including Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), attorney Duke Buckner, and Mark Lynch, an appliance repair executive who previously ran unsuccessfully against Graham in the primary. Rep. Russell Fry also entered the race on July 20.
Russell Fry continues campaign for House seat alongside Senate bid
Rep. Russell Fry is simultaneously running to retain his House seat while competing in the Senate Republican primary, according to people close to the congressman.
Democrat Annie Andrews won South Carolina Senate primary
Democrat physician Annie Andrews won the Democratic primary in June 2026 for the Senate seat, though she is considered a heavy underdog in a state where Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race since 1998.
Mark Lynch announces second campaign for Graham's Senate seat
Mark Lynch, who unsuccessfully challenged Lindsey Graham in the original Republican primary earlier in 2026, announced another bid for the Senate seat in the special election.
Senator Lindsey Graham dies at age 71
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died on Saturday at age 71. A preliminary report from the medical examiner indicated he suffered a tear in his aorta.
Funeral services planned for Senator Lindsey Graham
Funeral services for Senator Lindsey Graham were scheduled for July 28, 2026, in Washington D.C., and July 29, 2026, in South Carolina.
Special Senate primary election scheduled for August 11, 2026
South Carolina scheduled a special Republican primary election for August 11, 2026, to fill Lindsey Graham's vacant Senate seat. The filing period for candidates runs from July 21 to July 28, 2026.
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Graham's legacy honored through memorial service and Senate action
Graham honored through funeral, memorial service, and Senate sanctions tribute.
Republican primary field solidifies ahead of August Senate vote
Republican primary field solidifies for August 11 vote with no clear frontrunner emerging.
South Carolina Republicans set August 11 primary date for Senate race
South Carolina's Republican Senate primary is set for August 11, 2026.
Fry enters crowded Republican primary as Trump backs ally
Rep. Fry announces Senate bid with Trump backing; Republican primary remains unsettled.
Democrat Annie Andrews wins South Carolina Senate primary
Democrat Annie Andrews wins South Carolina Senate primary, advances to general election.
Republican primary field expands with new candidates entering race
Republican primary field expands as Norman and Lynch announce campaigns for Senate seat.
Trump Endorses Graham as Primary Battle Sets for August
Trump endorses Darline Graham for full Senate term ahead of August primary.
South Carolina mourns Senator Graham, tributes pour in
Senator Lindsey Graham, 71, dies; funeral services planned.
Graham Seat Succession Fight Intensifies as Primary Nears
Graham's sister seeks full term after appointment; crowded Republican primary ahead.