South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has announced the appointment of Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, to serve the remainder of Graham's term in the U.S. Senate. Her term will conclude in January, making her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. Nordone, who was previously under her brother's legal guardianship after their parents' deaths, expressed her honor, stating, "Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him."
Lindsey Graham, who was 71, died on Saturday from an aortic dissection, a tear in the main artery from the heart. His term was set to expire in January. President Donald Trump, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have all voiced their support for Nordone's appointment, with Trump calling it a "fabulous tribute" to Lindsey Graham.
A special Republican primary election is scheduled for August 11, with any necessary runoff on August 25, to determine the new nominee for the general election. The winner in November will secure a full six-year term. The filing period for this special primary begins on July 21. Democratic nominee Annie Andrews had raised over $8 million for her campaign, with just under $3 million cash on hand by the end of May, while Graham had raised $6 million, with over $4 million on hand.
