US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71; Sister Appointed as Temporary Replacement
US Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died on Saturday due to an aortic dissection caused by cardiovascular disease, according to preliminary findings from the Washington DC medical examiner. He was 71.
On Monday, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster formally appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve as his temporary replacement. McMaster introduced Nordone as Graham's 'darling little sister' who would 'finish his work for him now'.
'It is such an honour. Lindsey has always been there for me and now I will be there for him,' Nordone said.
The appointment came after officials, including President Donald Trump, called for Nordone to serve as a tribute to the senator, who never married and had no children. Graham had legally adopted his sister after their parents died when they were young.
McMaster stated that Nordone would serve the remainder of Graham's term, which ends in 2027. 'Lindsey took care of his little sister. It's my honour to ask his little sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to finish his work for him now,' he said.
Nordone expressed her belief that the appointment aligned with her brother's wishes. 'This is what Lindsey would have wanted and I plan to honour him in this way,' she noted.
Graham had been running for re-election in November and held the Republican Party's nomination. Several other Republican candidates have already announced plans to run for his Senate seat.
