Lindsey Graham dies at age 71 after “a brief and sudden illness”
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died on July 11, according to his office. He was 71 years old.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who came in last in June’s South Carolina gubernatorial primary, is reportedly considering running to replace Senator Lindsey Graham.
Mace, who first challenged Graham in 2014, challenged X on June 12 and hinted he would run to replace Graham. The outgoing congressman posted a clip of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone character from 1990’s The Godfather Part III, saying, “Just when I thought I was out…I was pulled back in.” Mace captioned the clip with a quote.
Graham’s office announced his death early on June 12th. He passed away at the age of 71. The four-term senator “passed away after a brief and sudden illness,” according to a statement posted on his social media accounts. His office added: “Senator Graham’s family appreciates your prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
Mr. Graham defeated five primary challengers in June and was expected to face Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews in November.
According to audio from Broadcastify, a website that archives public safety radio footage, emergency personnel were called to Graham’s Capitol Hill home around 8:30 p.m. ET after receiving a report of someone suffering from chest pains.
Nancy Mace: “South Carolina has lost a giant.”
Mace mourned Graham’s death in a post Sunday morning, then poked fun at his own run. “South Carolina lost a giant last night,” she wrote. “For more than 30 years, Lindsey Graham gave everything he had to this state and this country, from the Air Force to the U.S. Senate.”
She continued, “We didn’t always agree, but no one questioned his love for South Carolina or the fights he brought into any room.” Mace added, “Please join us in praying for his family and all who called him a friend. Rest in Peace, Senator.”
The once-moderate Lowcountry lawmaker flipped a battleground district in coastal South Carolina, including Charleston, in 2020 before becoming a staunch conservative firebrand after redistricting made his seat safe.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint Graham’s successor, and a special election will be held. Mr. McMaster’s lieutenant governor, Pamela Evett, who ran behind Alan Wilson in the Republican gubernatorial runoff, and former state governor Nikki Haley, who is also a former ambassador to the United Nations, are at the top of the list of candidates to replace Mr. Graham.
