South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to finish his Senate term Monday, two days after Graham died at 71 of what medical examiners preliminarily attributed to an aortic dissection.
McMaster said he raised the idea with Graham Nordone in the early hours of Sunday morning, hours after her brother’s death, and that she accepted “through tears,” according to remarks he gave at the announcement. President Donald Trump endorsed the pick on Truth Social that morning, calling it a fitting tribute to his longtime ally, and Sen. Tim Scott backed the choice shortly after.
Graham Nordone has spent nearly seven years as Commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and has 28 years of experience in state government, according to McMaster’s office. She will hold the seat until January 3, when the new Congress convenes, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the US Senate.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Graham Nordone would be sworn in Tuesday afternoon. A special Republican primary to determine Graham’s permanent replacement on the ballot will be held August 11, with the winner facing Democrat Annie Andrews in November for a full six-year term.
