Darline Graham, sister of Lindsey Graham, sworn in to fulfill his Senate term | US Senate
Darline Graham, the sister of the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, was sworn in to fill the Senate seat on Tuesday, just three days after his sudden death.
Graham was appointed by South Carolina governor Henry McMaster to serve out the remainder of his brother’s current term.
Graham arrived in the Senate chamber with Republican senators Tim Scott of South Carolina, who became the senior senator after his brother’s death, and Katie Britt of Alabama. Senator Chuck Grassley took the oath of office – Graham placed his hand on a Bible and promised to “support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” When he finished, the hall erupted in sustained applause.
After being sworn in, Graham made history as the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.
Lindsey died Saturday night at the age of 71. With the support of Donald Trump, Darline was quickly appointed to serve the remaining months of the Senate term, which ends January 3.
“Lindsey took over the care of her younger sister many years ago. It is my honor to ask her younger sister, Darline Graham, to finish the job for her now,” the Republican governor said at a news conference in Columbia, South Carolina, on Monday.
In a brief statement Monday, Graham said it was an “honor” to succeed his brother.
“I promise to work hard over the next few months to support the president and advance my brother’s efforts on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States,” he said. “I think that’s what Lindsey would want, and that’s how I plan to honor her.”
At the time of his death, Graham was seeking a fifth Senate term, having won the Republican nomination only last month. The state GOP will hold a separate special election on Aug. 11 to choose a new Senate candidate to face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November midterm elections.
Darline never held public office, but stood by her brother steadily and supported his political career as his national profile grew. He has served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019. McMaster’s office. Prior to that, he served at Clemson University and two South Carolina state institutions.
