After South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham died on Saturday, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed his sister Darline Graham Nordone to complete his term. The move comes after Graham’s unexpected passing, which left those who loved him and worked with him in a state of shock and grief.
Graham’s office released the preliminary findings by the District of Columbia’s medical examiner, determining that an aortic dissection, a tear that happens in the inner wall of the aorta, the main artery of the body, was the cause of death.
A Republican, Graham has served as South Carolina’s U.S. Senator since winning the position in 2002. He did not have the intention to leave office; he won the Republican Senate primary in June of 2026, demonstrating that, through the years, he had maintained a strong support base.
President Trump mourned his death on Truth Social saying, “In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M. GOD BLESS YOU LINDSEY!”
Leaders in South Carolina are also grieving. McMaster said, “Peggy and I — and our children — are devastated. Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend.” South Carolina state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, who represents Horry County, commented, “I worked and campaigned alongside him and his team for the last 15 years and he undoubtedly had one of the best constituent services anywhere.”
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson expressed his condolences by stating, “Today, Jennifer and I join all South Carolinians in mourning the passing of my friend, Senator Lindsey Graham. For more than three decades, Lindsey dedicated his life to serving South Carolina and our nation.”
South Carolina state Sen. Mike Reichenbach, who represents Florence County, also mourned the South Carolina statesman, “Senator Lindsey Graham’s life was defined by a commitment to serving others. After losing both of his parents at a young age, he stepped up to care for and raise his younger sister. That experience shaped the man he became and reflected the deep sense of responsibility he carried throughout his life.”
In a subsequent post, Trump wrote on his Truth Social, “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!” If Trump’s proposal is accepted, she would complete her brother’s current term.
She said in an interview, speaking about her brother, “Our mom got cancer and passed away and about a year and a half later, we lost our dad too. I was just a kid,” She said that Graham “grabbed me up and hugged me” after their father passed. “He’s always been there for me, no matter what.”
Nordone was politically active, helping her brother in his addresses to the public, and assisted him when he campaigned, appearing in an ad in 2014 as Graham sought a third Senate term.
