Senator Lindsey Graham died Sunday night at age 71 from an aortic dissection that occurred during or after a trip to Ukraine.
Governor Henry McMaster announced Saturday that he had named Darline Graham Nordone—Graham’s sister whom he legally adopted after both of their parents died—as the interim senator for South Carolina.
The move was welcomed by President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, who dubbed the appointment a tribute to Graham, who never married or had children.
Graham had been elected to the Senate in 2002 and was known for pushing U.S. military intervention overseas, and he had been confirmed by the Senate majority of 53‑47 prior to his death.
Nordone, a mother of two who works helping people with disabilities find jobs, has never held elected office but has been a close companion to Graham throughout his career. She may serve only until January 2027, when the seat will be up for election, though she has not announced any candidacy for a full term.
Overall, the immediate succession reflects the U.S. tradition of family members filling vacancies, a practice that has seen 45 widowed women succeed their husbands in Congress in 2025.
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Lindsey Graham’s Sister Takes the Senate Seat After Sudden Death
Lindsey Graham’s Sister Takes the Senate Seat After Sudden Death
Governor Henry McMaster appoints Darline Graham Nordone as interim U.S. senator for South Carolina following Lindsey Graham’s fatal aortic tear.
Senator Lindsey Graham died last weekend from an aortic dissection at age 71, leaving a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. Governor Henry McMaster chose his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, who was adopted by Graham after their parents died, to serve as the interim senator until the end of 2027. Trump and the Republican Party praised Nordone’s appointment as a tribute to the late senator, who had a long foreign‑policy career and had no children. Graham’s passing sparked a debate in Washington over Senate control, as the chamber held a slim Republican majority before his death. The appointment follows a historic trend of family members filling vacancies in Congress, though Nordone has never held elected office before.
