Who could replace Lindsey Graham in the Senate after his sudden death?
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham's sudden death late Saturday has set off a scramble for who will succeed him in the Senate.
Updated on: July 13, 2026 / 9:09 PM EDT / CBS News
Separate from a special Republican primary that will take place in the coming weeks, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, will first appoint a temporary replacement to serve out the rest of Graham's term, which ends Jan. 3, 2027. The late senator's sister, Darline Graham Nordone , will be McMasters' pick to serve out the rest of his term, sources familiar with the decision told CBS News.
The governor announced later Monday that he had asked Graham Nordone to finish Graham's work in the Senate.
"Lindsey has always been there for me and now, I will be there for him," Graham Nordone said in remarks after McMaster announced her appointment, adding, "It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States."
There will also be a special election held to replace the late senator on the ballot for the general election in November. Graham was seeking a fifth term in the Senate and secured more than 56% of the vote in the South Carolina Republican Senate primary in early June.