Lindsey Graham’s sister will serve out remaining term in the Senate
Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darling Graham Nordone, has been named to replace him in South Carolina and will serve out the remainder of his term.
- Darling Graham Nordone was sworn in to fill the seat held by his late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.
- Graham Nordone is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
- His term will run until January 2027, after the winner of the November midterm elections.
- Graham Nordone said he plans to continue his brother’s work and support the president.
Darin Graham Nordone became the first female senator to represent South Carolina three days after the death of her brother, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
On July 14, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Nancy Mace escorted Graham Nordon to the Senate chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., where she was sworn in by Chuck Grassley, a longtime Iowa senator and president pro tempore of the Senate.
Graham Nordone, 64, was sworn in a day after South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster nominated her as his successor. Graham died suddenly on July 11 from a life-threatening condition caused by a tear in his body’s main artery, the aorta. He was 71 years old.
President Donald Trump had urged her appointment in a post on Truth Social. Graham Nordin will now serve in the Senate until January 3, 2027, after which the winner of the closely watched November election will take office.
Although she has no previous political experience, Graham Nordon said she was confident she could get the job done thanks to the support of her brother’s staff and colleagues.
Graham Nordone’s presence in the Senate will help maintain the Republican majority at a time when Republican support is very thin and Republican leaders are struggling to achieve some of Trump’s priorities.
Graham Nordon expected to follow in his brother’s footsteps
In his speech after being sworn into the Senate on July 13, Graham Nordone indicated that he intends to continue his late brother’s work. She described him as an outstanding leader who worked harder than anyone to better the nation, the nation and the world.
“I am honored to be able to complete some of his important work,” said Graham Nordone. “I am committed to working hard in the coming months to support the President and continue my brother’s efforts on behalf of the people of South Carolina and the United States.”
It’s unclear whether Graham Nordone will seek a permanent Senate seat
It’s unclear whether Graham Nordone, a married mother of two adult children and a grandmother who has spent most of her professional career in disability services and workforce development rather than electoral politics, will run against her brother in the Palmetto state Senate race.
Lindsey Graham was seeking a fifth term in the Senate in this year’s midterm elections after defeating multiple challengers, including wealthy businessman Mark Lynch, in South Carolina’s Republican primary last month.
Graham defeated five primary challengers in June and was expected to face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews. Andrews, a pediatrician, previously defeated Republican Rep. Nancy Mace in the 2022 general election.
The South Carolina Republican Party will have to hold a special primary to replace Mr. Graham.
Several names have been mentioned as potential candidates, including Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evett, who ran unsuccessfully for governor earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Mace, and Congressman Russell Frey, who represents South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District. Former Congressman Trey Gowdy and current Congressman William Timmons are also mentioned.
The special primary election will be held on August 11th.
Contributors: Zachary Schermele and Bella Carpentier, USA TODAY Network
