Lindsey Graham’s reported sudden death over the weekend sent shockwaves through the US Senate, as Washington mourned the loss of one of its most influential political operators.
The 71-year-old rose from modest roots to become a defining political figure for South Carolina, representing the Palmetto State in the Senate for more than 23 years and remaining in office until his death.
Almost immediately, South Carolina Republicans began positioning themselves for a chance to succeed him, with a GOP primary expected to take place next month.
In his later years in office, Graham emerged as one of President Donald Trump’s most reliable Senate allies, supporting key elements of his agenda ranging from spending legislation to policy on the conflict in Iran.
His death has reduced the Republican edge in the Senate, leaving the party with a narrow 52-to-47 majority.
That already-tight margin is under additional pressure as Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized with pneumonia following a fall at his home.
South Carolina’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, is expected to name an interim senator to complete the remainder of Graham’s term, which runs through January.
A permanent successor will be chosen through the Republican primary process, with the first vote scheduled for August 11. If no candidate secures a majority, the race will move to a runoff on August 25.
Given the Palmetto State’s heavy Republican constituency, the winner of the primary is expected to hold the seat for the next six years.
Republican lawmakers in the state are now eyeing the coveted position – with Representative Nancy Mace and Graham’s onetime opponent Mark Lynch already expressing their interest in running.
Republicans in South Carolina are already vying for the seat left by the late Senator Lindsey Graham (pictured running for president in 2016)
Representative Nancy Mace and Graham’s onetime opponent, Mark Lynch, have already expressed their desire to run in a Republican primary for the seat
Mace said on Fox News Sunday she would take a look at running. Two people familiar with her thinking told Politico she plans on beginning to poll voters this week.
Lynch, who unsuccessfully ran against Graham, is also ‘interested’ in the seat, his spokesman Noel Fritsch said.
Others who may throw their hat in the ring include Representatives Ralph Norman and Russell Fry.
Norman even reportedly asked President Trump for his endorsement on Sunday, to which the president replied ‘give me a week,’ Bloomberg News reports.
But Norman would likely face backlash from MAGA, given that he broke with Trump to endorse Alan Wilson for governor over Lt Governor Pamela Evette.
The president’s advisers are already reportedly moving to prevent Mace from getting the governor’s appointment. She broke with the president by calling for the release of millions of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Of the state’s current GOP delegation in Congress, senior Republicans say Fry would be the strongest to run in the special election as he maintains a close relationship with Trump.
However, Republicans on Capitol Hill are wary of any member leaving Congress before the end of the session, given the party’s narrow majority there as well.
That left one congressman, dean of the South Carolina Republican delegation Joe Wilson, to dismiss reports on Sunday that he was interested in the appointment.
He wrote on X that he spoke with Trump and ‘assured him my goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority for the American people!!!’
As a result, speculation on who may take the seat has narrowed in on Evette, the lieutenant governor who won Trump’s endorsement in her own bid for governor.
A person close to Evette told Politico she has yet to make up her mind on a run, but is fielding ‘tons of encouragement from around the state’ to throw her hat in the ring.
Speculation on who may take the seat has narrowed in on South Carolina Lt Governor Pamela Evette, who was previously endorsed by President Donald Trump
Other names that have been floated include Representatives Russell Fry (left) and Ralph Norman (right)
Those interested in running now have until July 21 to get their name on the ballot for the primary.
In the meantime, Governor McMaster has remained silent on whom he may appoint to fill the position temporarily.
‘At this time our focus is on honoring Senator Graham’s life and service,’ Michelle LeClair, a spokeswoman for the governor said in a statement.
‘Questions regarding the process for filling the vacancy will be addressed by the Governor’s Office when there are updates to share.’
With his seat vacant, Republicans in the Senate worry how Graham’s sudden death will affect upcoming proceedings.
In just the coming week, the Senate is scheduled to consider the nomination of President Trump’s Attorney General pick, Todd Blanche.
On Wednesday, Blanche is expected to have his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Graham was a senior member.
His death could make it harder for the Senate to quickly confirm Blanche, as Democrats are expected to be fiercely opposed to his nomination.
His absence also raises questions about the future of the SAVE America Act, which he had co-sponsored.
Graham was a close political ally of Donald Trump, who last year called the senator ‘a wonderful friend.’ Graham is pictured with Trump at a 2020 rally
In a Sunday morning interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump revealed that Graham called him to discuss the passage of the legislation, which would require voters to provide photo identification.
The SAVE America Act has been passed by the US House of Representatives three times, but has not been passed by the Senate, where it needs 60 votes due to the filibuster.
‘He actually said he was tired, but he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, “Well, we’re going to get it done, Lindsey. We’re going to get it done. I’ll see you, like, soon,” Trump noted on Meet the Press.
Following the news of his death, Trump shared a tribute to the late senator.
‘Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Mace, Lynch, Fry, Norman and Evette for comment.
