South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to the Senate seat of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
McMaster, a Republican, announced his pick during a press conference on July 13. Nordone will serve through Jan. 3, 2027, when Graham’s term is over. Nordone did not say whether she would run for a full term.
“Today, under the law, it’s my duty to and honor to name someone to serve in the place of this irresistible man, this irreplaceable man, this extraordinary man, for the remainder of his term. Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed,” McMaster said.
“It’s my honor to ask his little sister, Darlene Graham, to finish his work for him now.”
In her remarks, Nordone expressed thanks to McMaster and paid tribute to her brother.
“My brother was the most amazing person, outstanding leader, and just a genuinely good man,” she said. “He was kind and considerate, and loved by his family dearly, as I think everyone would agree, Lindsey worked harder than anyone. He worked nonstop to make our state, country, and world better.”
“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina. This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!” he wrote in a social media post.
Graham was known to have a close relationship with his sister, for whom he served as guardian after their parents died.
“I can remember the day my father passed away, standing in the living room of that house, absolutely scared to death,” Nordone told National Public Radio in 2015.
“Lindsey wrapped his arms around me and promised me he would always be there for me and always take care of me.”
In a 2015 interview with The New York Times, Nordone said of her brother, “He’s kind of like a brother, a father, and a mother rolled into one.”
Graham’s office said in a statement that the longtime senator’s family “appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
According to preliminary findings by the medical examiner, which were released by Graham’s team, the cause of death was an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Graham was up for reelection in November and won his primary last month.
In August, there will be a special election for the Republican nominee to face off against Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the general election.
Graham was first elected to the Senate in November 2002 and served in the House of Representatives between 1995 and 2003.
