According to the Wall Street Journal on July 13th, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed the sister of the deceased Senator Lindsey Graham, Darlene Graham (64 years old), as his temporary successor to fill the vacancy in the Senate created by the passing of this long-serving senator.
McMaster said that Graham ‘has been taking care of his little sister for many years’. ‘I am honored to be able to invite his sister, Darlene Graham, to complete his unfinished work’. She will complete the remaining term of her late brother, which will end in early January next year.
Reports say that U.S. President Trump told McMaster that appointing Darlene would be a great tribute to Graham.
Once Darlene Graham is sworn in as a senator, the Republican Party will regain a 53-to-47 majority in the Senate. However, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized and unable to vote due to his health issues.
Lindsay Graham and her sister Darlene Graham, by the US media
On July 12 local time, news spread that Lindsey Graham, a Republican U.S. Senator from South Carolina, had died of sudden illness, and undercurrents began to rise within the Republican Party.
South Carolina will hold new Republican primary elections in August to select a candidate to replace Graham in the mid-term elections in November.
Several Republicans have expressed interest, including South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, as well as former South Carolina governor and representative Mark Sanford. However, people familiar with the matter said that Trump and his allies have selected Russell Fry, and added that the president has not made a final decision.
The 41-year-old Fry has represented the 7th District of South Carolina since 2023. After the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Congressman Tom Rice voted to impeach Trump, and Fry successfully challenged Rice in the primary election. Trump supported Fry in the 2022 and early 2024 primaries, referring to him as a “MAGA warrior.” Fry’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
On July 12th, Trump told NBC that he had a “very suitable candidate” in mind, but due to respect for Graham, he would not reveal the name at this time. “I don’t want to talk about anyone right now, but I do have a candidate who I think is very qualified.”
The White House issued a statement on the 13th saying, “Any speculation before the President makes a statement is just speculation.”
