Lindsey Graham's Death Prompts Sister Darline Graham's Senate Appointment and Special Election in South Carolina

Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R‑SC) died suddenly on July 11, 2026, at age 71 from a cardiac event. Governor Henry McMaster appointed his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to fill the remainder of his term. She was sworn in by Senator Chuck Grassley on July 14, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate and the first sibling to replace a deceased senator.

Darline Graham announced she will run for the full six‑year seat in the special primary scheduled for August 11, with a possible runoff on August 25. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed her and urged her to run, a stance she reaffirmed after a meeting in the Oval Office. She has introduced legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia and co‑sponsored the SAVE America voter‑suppression bill.

Other prospective candidates include former governor Mark Sanford and state Rep. Ralph Norman. Funeral services for Lindsey Graham were held in Washington, D.C., on July 28 and in Columbia and Pickens County, South Carolina, on July 29. The Senate Budget Committee, which Graham chaired, has also honored his service with bipartisan tributes.