COLUMBIA, S.C. (Diya TV) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday appointed Darline Graham Nordone to temporarily fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant after the sudden death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. She will serve until January while voters choose a long-term successor through a special election.
Nordone will take the oath of office on Tuesday. She will also become the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. McMaster announced the appointment during a news conference at the Statehouse, where Graham’s longtime staff members, advisers and supporters gathered to honor his legacy.
“It is such an honor,” Nordone said. “Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him.”
Graham died Saturday night at the age of 71. A preliminary report from the medical examiner said he suffered an aortic dissection, which is a tear in the main artery that carries blood from the heart. His death shocked political leaders across South Carolina and Washington.
McMaster said he spoke with Nordone in the early hours of Sunday after learning of Graham’s death. During that conversation, he asked her to accept the temporary appointment. He praised her willingness to serve during a difficult time.
“I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve,” McMaster said.
President Donald Trump also supported the appointment. McMaster said Trump approved the decision when he shared his choice. Trump later publicly backed Nordone to fill the Senate seat.
Nordone and Graham shared a close bond throughout their lives. After the death of their parents when they were young, Graham became her legal guardian and helped raise her. She remained a steady presence during his political career. She often attended campaign events and appeared in campaign advertisements.
Speaking through emotion, Nordone remembered her brother during the announcement.
“To Lindsey, I miss you more than I can even put into words,” she said. “But I’m going to do this. I got it.”
Before entering public service, Nordone worked as an optician. She also served in several South Carolina government agencies, including the Commission for the Blind and the Department of Employment and Workforce. She lives in Lexington, graduated from the College of Charleston, and earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.
Meanwhile, attention has quickly shifted to the race for Graham’s Senate seat. He had been seeking a fifth term before his unexpected death. Now, South Carolina Republicans face a competitive contest to choose a new nominee for the November general election.
Under South Carolina law, candidates may begin filing for the special Republican primary on July 21. The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff will follow on Aug. 25. The Republican nominee then will have just over two months to campaign before the Nov. 3 general election.
However, the election schedule could create legal challenges. Federal law requires election officials to send military and overseas ballots at least 45 days before federal elections. That deadline has already passed for the special primary, leaving questions about how state and federal officials will handle the process.
Several well-known Republicans have already emerged as possible candidates. State Attorney General Alan Wilson recently secured the Republican nomination for governor. Other potential contenders include Lt.
