S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday picked Darline Graham Nordone, to fill the United State Senate seat of her brother, the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly late Saturday. She will serve the remainder of Graham’s term, which will end in early January 2027.
Graham’s death triggered a scramble to fill an immediate gaping hole left in national and statewide politics. A primary will be held next month for the next term of the seat.
“Lindsey has always been there for me, and now, I will be there for him,” Nordone said minutes after the announcement at the Monday afternoon press conference. “It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise 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.”
McMaster took several moments to eulogize the late senator before naming his successor.
“We meet in sadness over the loss of one of South Carolina’s greatest sons,” the governor said. “But we also gather together to celebrate what this self-described po’ boy from South Carolina accomplished through grit, determination and character for his state.”
Though President Donald Trump backed Nordone in a social media post earlier today by saying it “would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly,” McMaster said he asked Nordone to step up to the plate early on Sunday.
What’s next
Graham’s term ends on Jan. 3. A special GOP primary election will be held Aug. 11 to fill his place on the November ballot, where Democratic challenger Annie Andrews and third-party candidates await.
Two things are unclear:
- Whether Nordone is planning to make a bid for the seat long-term, and
- Whether she would have a leg-up in the primary given her lack of political background and experience in elected politics.
Also unclear are candidates who may run in the August primary for the six-year term starting in 2027. Names that have been mentioned include:
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, who reportedly has shown interest in the seat. Wilson boasts a long tenure in Congress, representing S.C.’s second congressional district since 2001.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Charleston-area Republican who lost a bid for governor. Nevertheless, she said she was “strongly considering” running. Mace has represented the state’s first congressional district since 2021. “‘Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in …’” she posted on X in a reference to The Godfather.
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who just ran for governor and lost in the primary runoff to state Attorney General Alan Wilson. Evette told NBC News that while she is still “shell-shocked” by the news of Graham’s death, she received “dozens” of calls and texts urging her to jump into the Senate race.
Mark Lynch, a South Carolina businessman who challenged Graham in the Republican primary for Senate earlier this year, is planning to run for the seat, according to reports.
Other GOP luminaries who have been mentioned on social media and in private discussions among Republicans are: former Gov. David Beasley of Society Hill; former S.C. House Speaker David Wilkins of Greenville; former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy of Spartanburg; U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of the Rock Hill area, who also lost in the governor’s race; and U.S. Rep. Russell Fry of the Grand Strand.
Editor Andy Brack contributed to this story.
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