Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, will replace her late brother in the Senate until his elected successor takes office, South Carolina’s governor announced Monday.
“Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him,” she said at a press conference Monday. “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.”
Nordone was recommended for the seat by both President Donald Trump and Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina). “This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!” Trump wrote on social media earlier Monday.
Nordone will be South Carolina’s first female senator.
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Republicans will vote in a special primary election Aug. 11 to select a new nominee for the November election, and the winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews. Graham had been seeing a fifth term in the Senate and handily won his primary last month. He died of an aortic dissection on Saturday, according to preliminary findings by the D.C. medical examiner’s office.
Graham became his sister’s legal guardian after both of their parents died about 50 years ago. The two were close, and Nordone supported his campaigns, although she has never run for office. She appeared in one of her brother’s campaign ads this year.
Nordone did not address whether she planned to seek a full term, though she is widely seen as a placeholder selection who would not actively campaign for the nomination, leaving the race to succeed Graham open.
Several names have been floated as potential candidates, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Ralph Norman and even Rep. Nancy Mace.
Nordone shared a close relationship with her brother. After Graham joined the Air Force in 1982, he became her legal guardian so that she could qualify for his military benefits.
Nordone supported all of Graham’s campaigns, although she has never run for office. She appeared in one of her brother’s campaign ads this year.
“He’s always been there for me, no matter what, and it’s the same with the people of South Carolina,” she said in the spot.
Gov. Henry McMaster said at a press conference Monday that he spoke to Nordone on Sunday morning and that she agreed to serve.
“I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve,” he said. “And I called the president afterwards, and he thought it was a great idea.”
This story has been updated with new information about the appointment.
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