Darline Graham Nordone, sister of Lindsey Graham, chosen to fulfill remainder of his U.S. Senate term

Published 14 July 2026 · world

Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, has been named as her late brother's temporary replacement in the U.S. Senate after his unexpected death over the

Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, has been named as her late brother's temporary replacement in the U.S. Senate after his unexpected death over the weekend. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced at a news conference at the Statehouse on Monday (July 13, 2026) that Ms. Nordone would serve the remaining months on Graham's current term, which expires in January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said afterward that she will be sworn in Tuesday (July 14, 2026) afternoon. Nordone will be the first woman to represent the State in the Senate. “It is such an honor,” she said, as dozens of Graham staffers and campaign advisers stood behind her, some with eyes glassy from welling tears. “Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him.” Graham died on Saturday (July 11, 2026) night at age 71. He never married or had a family of his own, but Ms. Nordone was often by her brother's side for the political touch points of his career, speaking at events and appearing in some of his campaign. After their parents died at a young age, Graham was left to raise his sister, for whom he later became legal guardian. They were very close, and she was there as he filed reelection paperwork earlier this year, along with her children and grandchildren. “To Lindsey, I miss you more than I can even put into words," Ms. Nordone said, emotion rising in her voice. "But I'm going to do this. I got it.” Introducing Ms. Nordone, Mr. McMaster said the two had spoken in “in the wee hours of Sunday morning” after Graham's death, and he asked her to serve.

“I had wondered what you would say, and I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve,” Mr. McMaster said. He added that President Donald Trump “thought it was a great idea” when he later told him of his pick. Mr. Trump announced his support for Ms. Nardone to fill the seat earlier Monday (July 13, 2026). Nordone has worked as an optician and at various state agencies, including the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and the Department of Employment and Workforce. She lives in Lexington, is a graduate of the College of Charleston and has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. A special election will be held next month to pick a new Republican nominee in the general election for Graham’s seat. He had been seeking a fifth term this year. The rare open Senate seat has ignited a scramble among South Carolina’s most ambitious conservatives, who have been eager to climb the political ladder. Republicans just finished a sprawling and bruising contest to figure out their nominee for succeeding Mr. McMaster, who is wrapping up his second term. State Attorney General Alan Wilson won the nomination, overcoming a field that included Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman — all of whom are now eyeing Graham’s seat following his death over the weekend. According to South Carolina law, a one-week filing period for a special primary election begins on the second Tuesday (July 14, 2026) after the candidate’s death, or July 21. The special primary election would be held on the second Tuesday (July 14, 2026) after that filing period closes, or Aug.