Temporary replacement for late Sen. Lindsey Graham to be named today

By Lucy Valeski

Updated July 13, 2026 11:09 AM

The flag above the White House flies at half-staff following the death of US Senator Lyndsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, in Washington, DC, on July 12, 2026. Graham, an influential ally of President Donald Trump and advocate of hawkish US foreign policy, has died unexpectedly aged 71, his office said on July 12, 2026. Graham was a staunch supporter of the Iran war, and in recent years urged both the Trump and Biden administrations to back Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion. He bitterly opposed Trump a decade ago, but came around to support him. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) — The flag above the White House flies at half-staff following the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, in Washington, D.C., on July 12, 2026. Graham, an influential ally of President Donald Trump and advocate of hawkish US foreign policy, has died unexpectedly aged 71, his office said on July 12, 2026. MANDEL NGAN AFP via Getty Images

COLUMBIA, S.C.

Gov. Henry McMaster will name his choice to finish out U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s term in Congress 4 p.m. Monday, according to a news release.

South Carolina’s senior senator died suddenly Saturday evening, his office announced. A preliminary report found he died of an aortic dissection — a tear in the aorta— due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the medical examiner of the District of Columbia.

Graham’s death left his U.S. Senate seat open as Congress returned to work Monday. Under state law, McMaster chooses someone to finish out Graham’s term, which ends in January 2027.

Shortly following McMaster’s announcement, President Donald Trump said he recommended the governor choose Darline Graham Nordone, Graham’s younger sister, to fill in.

“This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!” Trump posted on Truth Social Monday morning.

Whether McMaster’s pick will run for a full six-year term is still unclear. When he died, Graham was running for a fifth term to the U.S. Senate. He easily won the Republican nomination in June, beating back five competitors.

A special primary election will be held August 11 to replace Graham’s name on the November GOP ballot. If necessary, a runoff will be held August 25.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham campaigns in Columbia with Gov. Henry McMaster on May 30, 2026. Lucy Valeski lvaleski@thestate.com

It’s the first time a South Carolina U.S. Senate seat opened in more than a decade, and potential candidates will have to decide quickly if they want to compete for a six-year term. Graham held the seat for nearly 24 years.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated

This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:49 AM.

Lucy Valeski

The State

Lucy Valeski is a politics and statehouse reporter at The State. She recently graduated from the University of Missouri, where she studied journalism and political science.

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