South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on July 13, 2026 appointed Darline Graham Nordone to serve the remainder of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's term, and she was sworn in Tuesday to fill the seat.
Sen. Lindsey Graham died in office Saturday at age 71, and McMaster's appointment will last a few months because Graham had been up for reelection and won his Republican primary last month; Republicans will run in a special primary on Aug. 11 for the full term.
At a press conference alongside McMaster, Nordone said, "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." President Donald Trump wrote on social media, "This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!" Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly expressed support for McMaster's choice, and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., blessed the selection and appeared alongside Nordone at the press conference.
McMaster's top political adviser and former chief of staff Trey Walker said Nordone's appointment came together in roughly 36 hours, that the governor was notified of Graham's death around 11 p.m. Saturday and called Nordone Sunday morning about serving, and that McMaster then placed a call to the White House.
Walker said Nordone helms the state's Commission for the Blind, is "very familiar at the state house" and interfaces frequently with the governor's office; she has appeared alongside the late senator on the campaign trail, including at his presidential campaign launch in the summer of 2015.
Sen. Chuck Grassley swore Nordone into the Senate just after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on the Senate floor amid applause; she was escorted by Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Katie Britt, R-Ala., and shook Grassley's hand but did not make a separate speech.
A spokesperson said she will go by Darline Graham in the Senate though her legal name since marriage is Darline Graham Nordone, and records show it is the first instance of a sibling being appointed to replace a deceased senator. She also becomes the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that lawmakers will "figure out which of his committees she wants to stay on, and then we'll go from there," noting the late senator had served on the Budget, Judiciary, Appropriations and Environment and Public Works committees.
Republicans' swift move to fill the late senator's seat maintains the party's already slim margin in the chamber as it seeks to advance priorities before an August recess. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said moments before the swearing-in that "she loves the country, and she would do what Lindsey would do." Reps. Joe Wilson and Jim Clyburn were present on the Senate floor, and Scott Farmer, a longtime former campaign manager for Lindsey Graham, said Nordone's work at the agency has focused on streamlining work and protecting taxpayer dollars. Kevin Bishop, the late senator's longtime former communications director, said people will be "pleasantly surprised" at her similarities with her brother.
Darline Graham has two daughters, 32 and 17, has never held elected office and has been a largely private individual; Lindsey Graham legally adopted her after joining the Air Force so she could receive military benefits. She has not signaled whether she will run for a full six-year term; potential contenders already mentioned include Rep. Russell Fry and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, while Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman have indicated interest, though no candidates have officially announced.