Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died Saturday night at 71. His office put out a brief statement citing a “brief and sudden illness.”
Graham had a spot booked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday morning. He never showed. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in his place.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “He was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known. He was always working. A true American Patriot.”
Asked about a replacement on air, Trump said he already had someone in mind but wasn’t ready to name them.
“I have somebody that I think would be great,” he said. “But I don’t want to say it now because it’s just, it’s too soon with Lindsey. I don’t wanna even talk about anybody, but I do have somebody that I think is really good.”
Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster must appoint a temporary replacement right away. That pick serves through the end of 2026. Graham won his primary last month and was headed toward a fifth term — whoever McMaster selects inherits the seat only through November.
The special election for the full six-year term kicks off July 21, when the filing window opens. The GOP primary is Aug. 11.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is looking hard at jumping in, per a source close to her. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) called Trump directly and said he’s staying put in the House. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is fielding heavy pressure from allies statewide to take the interim post, and potentially to mount a full campaign. She ran first in the Republican governor’s primary this cycle before losing the runoff to State AG Alan Wilson, after Trump switched his endorsement.
Trump had warm words for McMaster when pressed on the pick.
“Henry’s been a great governor, you know now he’s termed out, but he’s going to do the right thing,” he said. “I think Henry will be fantastic.”
The timing puts Senate Republicans in a tough spot. The GOP holds 52 seats officially, but Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been sidelined with health issues, putting the working majority closer to 51. Every vote matters right now.
Graham came up from Central, South Carolina. Both parents died within 15 months of each other while he was in college, leaving him to raise his younger sister. He put himself through law school, joined the Air Force JAG Corps, and spent over 30 years in reserve service, retiring as a colonel.
He entered Congress in 1995, rode the Republican wave, and made his national name as an impeachment manager during Clinton’s 1999 Senate trial. Elected to the Senate in 2002, replacing Strom Thurmond, he went on to chair both the Judiciary and Budget Committees. He helped confirm Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, was a fierce ally of Israel and Ukraine, and remained one of the Senate’s loudest voices on military spending until the end.
Graham never married. He is survived by his sister. Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Sunday afternoon.
