South Carolina's governor names Lindsey Graham's sister to serve out his term

Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu --> Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Up First Here & Now NPR Politics Podcast Featured Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., attends a press conference on Dec. 7, 2023. South Carolina's governor has named Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve out his term. Graham was up for reelection this year, and won his Republican primary just last month. Republicans who want to vie for the full term starting next year will run in a special primary election Aug. 11. It is not clear if Graham intends to seek a full term in the Senate to succeed her brother. "Lindsey has always been there for me and now I will be there for him," Graham said at a press conference on Monday. "It is such a privilege to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard every day 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." Obituaries Sen. President Trump recommended her in a post on social media writing, "This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!" Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., also blessed the choice and appeared alongside Graham as McMaster made the announcement. Darline Graham speaks to reporters Monday after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced he was naming her to serve out the remainder of her brother's term. Grant Baldwin/Getty Images hide caption Graham has never held elected office, but was a regular presence at her brother's campaign events over the years, including around his bid for the Republican nomination for president in 2016. She has been commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019, where she worked to "expand opportunities for South Carolinians who are blind or have low vision to achieve employment independence," according to the governor's office. Graham also sits on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. The Graham siblings had a close relationship forged by the death of their parents just over a year apart. Lindsey was in college and Darline was 13. The elder Graham became his sister's guardian and later adopted her so she could receive his benefits from his service as a lawyer in the Air Force. "I can remember the day my father passed away standing in the living room of that house absolutely scared to death," Graham told NPR in 2015. He chaired the budget committee, which would be responsible for setting up the process for a third party-line budget reconciliation bill. He also served on the judiciary committee, which is now weighing Trump's nomination for attorney general, Todd Blanche. Several South Carolina Republicans have indicated an interest in running for a full-term, including Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor