South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to fill Graham’s U.S. Senate seat Monday.
McMaster announced the appointment during a news conference at the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia. Nordone will serve through Jan. 3, when Graham’s term ends.
President Donald Trump endorsed Nordone before the announcement, calling the appointment “a fabulous tribute to Lindsey” in a Truth Social post. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina also backed her selection.
Graham became Nordone’s legal guardian after their parents died within 15 months of each other. He was 22 and she was 13. Nordone has appeared alongside her brother at political and official events for years.
Graham died Saturday at age 71. A preliminary medical examiner report said he died of an aortic dissection related to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to his office.
Nordone is expected to be sworn in Wednesday. A special Republican primary is set for Aug. 11 to determine who will appear on the November ballot as the party’s nominee. A runoff, if needed, would be held Aug. 25.
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