Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to finish the remainder of Graham’s term, with a special election set for August 11 to determine his successor.
Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, was sworn in to temporarily fill his Senate seat on Tuesday, just three days after his sudden death. The 62-year-old, who has never held elected office, became South Carolina’s first female senator and cast her first vote as a U.S. senator to advance the $1.15tn annual defense authorization bill—though it failed in a 50-46 tally The Guardian.
A Historic Swearing-In
Graham Nordone’s swearing-in was marked by solemnity and a sense of continuity. She placed her hand on a Bible and pledged to “support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” as reported by The Guardian. The Senate chamber erupted in extended applause, with Republican senators Tim Scott and Katie Britt present. Graham Nordone, who had been under her brother’s legal guardianship after their parents died, vowed to “work hard 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” CNN.
The appointment followed a “brief and sudden illness” that led to Graham’s death at age 71 on Saturday. Preliminary medical examiner reports cited aortic dissection due to cardiovascular disease The Guardian. Governor Henry McMaster, who called Graham Nordone early Sunday to discuss the appointment, emphasized the “fabulous tribute” to the late senator, a sentiment echoed by President Donald Trump, who recommended her to the governor CNN.
Legacy and Questions
A 2015 autobiography by Lindsey Graham, mentioned in The Guardian, revealed his complicated stance on race, including his role in integrating his family’s business during the 1970s and his later political positions. Despite his advocacy for some civil rights measures, Graham faced criticism for downplaying systemic racism The Guardian.
Her brother’s former colleagues have mixed reactions. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called her appointment something that “makes a lot of sense,” while South Carolina’s Democratic congressman James Clyburn paid tribute to Graham’s “commitment to public service” but noted their “significant” political differences The Guardian. The state GOP will hold a special primary on August 11 to select a nominee for the November midterms, with Darline’s decision to run remaining unclear CNN.
Graham Nordone served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and held roles at Clemson University before her appointment The Guardian.
The immediate focus is on the August 11 primary, which will determine Graham’s successor. Meanwhile, her tenure as a senator is limited to the remainder of her brother’s term, ending on January 3.
For now, the story is one of personal legacy and political transition. Darline Graham Nordone’s swearing-in underscores the enduring influence of Lindsey Graham’s political career, even as it raises questions about the future of South Carolina’s representation in the Senate. As she prepares to navigate the chamber, her words—“I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother”—serve as both a mandate and a challenge The Guardian.
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