Darline Graham appointed to fill brother's Senate seat
Senator Graham's sister appointed to interim Senate seat; announces full-term candidacy.
Event / Politics
Senator Lindsey Graham Succession
Following Senator Lindsey Graham's death in July 2026, his sister Darline Graham was appointed to fill his Senate seat. Multiple Republicans are competing in a special primary election to determine who will serve a full term.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 14 Jul, 01:21 UTC
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What happened
President Trump endorses Darline Graham for Senate seat
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Darline Graham for the Senate seat, posting on Truth Social that she had his 'Complete and Total Endorsement' and stating 'RUN, DARLINE, RUN!' Trump said there would be 'nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey.' The endorsement came after a meeting with Darline Graham at the White House.
Lindsey Graham had won Republican primary with 263,895 votes
In the earlier Republican primary election held in June 2026, Lindsey Graham secured the GOP nomination for what would have been his fifth term representing South Carolina, winning with 263,895 votes. Businessman Mark Lynch came in second with 134,246 votes.
Special Republican primary scheduled for South Carolina Senate seat
A special Republican primary election was scheduled for August 11, 2026, to select the GOP nominee for the remainder of Lindsey Graham's Senate term. A filing period for candidates opened July 21 and closed July 28. If no candidate secures a majority in the primary, a runoff will be held on August 25. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Darline Graham announces candidacy for full six-year Senate term
Darline Graham announced on July 20 that she will run for a full six-year term to replace her late brother's Senate seat. She made the announcement during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, stating 'I've made a decision. I'm in.' Graham said she had been praying and consulting with family before deciding to enter the race.
Multiple Republican candidates enter South Carolina Senate primary race
Rep. Ralph Norman announced his candidacy for the Senate seat on July 19. Rep. Russell Fry announced his candidacy on July 21, saying he would be 'a conservative fighter in the Senate who delivers real results.' Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette was also eyeing a run. Rep. Nancy Mace announced she would not enter the contest.
Democratic nominee Annie Andrews running for South Carolina Senate seat
Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and mother, is the Democratic nominee for the South Carolina Senate seat. She announced she is running for the Senate 'because families are struggling in ways that we should never accept as normal.'
Lindsey Graham, influential GOP senator from South Carolina, dies at age 71
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican from South Carolina and ally of President Donald Trump, died following an aortic dissection. He was 71 years old. Graham had represented South Carolina in the Senate for more than two decades and was the Republican nominee for a fifth term in the upcoming November election.
Darline Graham appointed to serve remainder of late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate term
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham's term, which expires in January 2027. Darline Graham, 62, was sworn in to the position. She has no prior experience in elected office and previously served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, with a career background in disabilities services.
Multiple Republicans express interest in special Senate primary election
Several Republican politicians have expressed interest in running in the August 11 special primary to select a nominee for South Carolina's Senate seat. Potential candidates include Reps. Russell Fry, Nancy Mace, and Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, businessman Mark Lynch, and former Gov. Mark Sanford.
Darline Graham appointed to fill late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate seat
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to serve the remainder of her brother's term, which ends in January 2027. Darline Graham was sworn in on Tuesday, July 15, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate and the first sister to directly succeed her brother in Congress.
Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at age 71 from aortic dissection
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died on July 11 at age 71. Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the cause of death as an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Memorial services announced for Sen. Lindsey Graham
Memorial services for the late Senator Lindsey Graham will be held on July 28 in Washington at the Washington National Cathedral and on July 29 in South Carolina, with events in Columbia and Pickens County, where Graham grew up.
Darline Graham expresses interest in running for full Senate term
Darline Graham has privately begun conversations about running for a full Senate term to represent South Carolina. The special primary election to select a Republican nominee is scheduled for August 11, with the filing period running from July 21 to July 28.
President Trump endorses Darline Graham for full Senate term
President Donald Trump endorsed newly appointed Sen. Darline Graham for a full Senate term in a Truth Social post on Friday, stating he requested her to seek the Republican nomination in the special primary election. Trump said there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
Trump was among last to speak with Graham before his death
President Trump spoke with Sen. Graham by phone on the evening of July 11, shortly before emergency responders were dispatched to Graham's home. Trump said Graham sounded tired during the call and had just returned from Ukraine. Emergency personnel arrived at Graham's Capitol Hill residence around 7:30-8:00 p.m. after a report of someone experiencing chest pain.
President Trump dismisses FBI investigation as waste of time
President Trump told reporters on July 14 that he believed the FBI was wasting their time investigating Graham's death. Trump stated he did not see evidence of foul play and acknowledged conspiracy theories were circulating about the senator's death.
Darline Graham Nordone appointed to fill Graham's Senate seat
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone, Sen. Graham's sister, to complete the remainder of his Senate term, which ends in January. She was sworn in on July 14 and became the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71 from aortic dissection
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a 71-year-old Republican from South Carolina, died on Saturday, July 11. A preliminary medical examiner's report indicated he died of an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition where the inner lining of the main artery becomes damaged.
FBI agents investigate Graham's death at Capitol Hill residence
FBI agents and federal law enforcement were observed at Sen. Graham's rowhouse on Capitol Hill on Monday, July 12, taking photographs and assisting local authorities in investigating the circumstances of his death. FBI Director Kash Patel stated the agency was assisting local authorities out of an abundance of caution, though no evidence of foul play had emerged.
Republican leaders endorse Darline Graham Nordone's Senate appointment
Senator Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly endorsed Darline Graham Nordone's appointment to fill her brother's Senate seat. Scott stated that Nordone would be a fantastic pick to serve the remainder of the term. Thune expressed support, saying the appointment would extend Lindsey Graham's legacy.
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2 alternative perspectives
Republican primary and Democratic challenger emerge in South Carolina special election race
Republican primary and Democratic challenger vie for Graham's South Carolina Senate seat.
Graham's sister confirmed to fill South Carolina Senate seat
Graham's sister Darline Graham Nordone appointed to fill his vacant Senate seat.
Graham's sister seeks full term as special election race takes shape
Darline Graham seeks full term with Trump backing; multiple Republicans enter special election race.
Graham's sister appointed to fill South Carolina Senate seat
Graham's sister Darline Nordone appointed to fill his vacant Senate seat.
FBI investigates circumstances of Senator Graham's aortic dissection death
FBI investigates Graham's aortic dissection death; Trump calls inquiry wasteful.
South Carolina to hold special election for Graham's Senate seat
South Carolina will hold a special election to fill Graham's vacant Senate seat.
Graham's sister appointed to Senate seat following his death
Graham's sister Darline Graham Nordone appointed to Senate seat following his death.
Graham's Russia sanctions push shaped final legislative legacy
Graham's final legislative push included Russia sanctions legislation stemming from Ukraine engagement.
Trump taps Graham's sister for Senate seat as GOP reshuffles leadership
Trump recommends Graham's sister for his Senate seat; Ron Johnson to chair Budget Committee.
Graham's death threatens key Senate legislative priorities amid GOP majority crunch
Graham's death weakens GOP Senate majority as Republicans race to pass major defense and reconciliation legislation.
Graham's death reshapes Senate Republican majority and committee power
Graham's death shrinks Senate GOP majority to 51 votes and costs Republicans their Judiciary Committee majority.