U.S. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died at age 71 after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” His office said preliminary findings from the District of Columbia medical examiner indicated he died of an aortic dissection linked to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. U.S. media reported that emergency personnel had responded to a cardiac arrest call at his Capitol Hill home.
Graham’s death removes a prominent Republican voice from the Senate and a reliable ally of President Donald Trump at a time when the chamber remains closely divided. However, the vacancy is not expected to significantly alter the broader partisan balance, as South Carolina is considered a strongly Republican state. Under state law, Gov. Henry McMaster may appoint a temporary replacement, while Republicans will hold an expedited primary to choose a nominee for the November midterm election.
Trump described Graham as “great” and “unique in every way,” while other leaders also offered condolences. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called him a defender of freedom, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as a close friend of Israel. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Graham had dedicated his life to public service and had supported democracy and freedom, particularly in Ukraine.
Graham, first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the U.S. House, was known for his focus on defence and foreign policy. He supported Israel and Ukraine, opposed Iran, and recently travelled to Kyiv to meet Zelenskyy. He had visited Ukraine repeatedly since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
His relationship with Trump changed significantly over time. During the 2016 campaign, Graham sharply criticized Trump, calling him unfit to represent Republican values. After Trump became president, Graham became one of his strongest Senate supporters, though he occasionally disagreed with him publicly.
A former air force lawyer and South Carolina Air National Guard member, Graham was unmarried and lived in Seneca, South Carolina.