South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has appointed Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, to serve as a temporary replacement following Graham’s unexpected death Saturday at age 71, according to the report. Nordone is expected to be sworn in Tuesday and will hold the seat until Graham’s term expires in January. Her appointment makes her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
At a Monday news conference in Columbia, Nordone said she accepted the role as a duty to her brother, who raised her after their parents died and later became her legal guardian. She was often present during Graham’s political career, including at campaign events and in advertisements. Nordone has worked as an optician and in state agencies, including the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and the Department of Employment and Workforce. She holds degrees from the College of Charleston and in rehabilitation counselling.
Graham, a longtime Republican senator seeking a fifth term, reportedly died from a suspected aortic dissection. McMaster said he asked Nordone to serve shortly after Graham’s death and that President Donald Trump supported the selection.
The appointment comes as South Carolina prepares for a special election process to choose a Republican nominee for the November general election. State law sets a one-week filing period beginning July 21, followed by an Aug. 11 primary and, if needed, an Aug. 25 runoff. Officials may need to address potential conflicts with federal requirements for military and overseas ballots.
Several Republicans are being discussed as possible candidates, including Pamela Evette, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, Mark Lynch and former Gov. Mark Sanford. Democrat Annie Andrews has already secured her party’s nomination. While Republicans have dominated recent statewide Senate races in South Carolina, Graham’s death creates an unusual open-seat contest.