WASHINGTON — Daline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, was sworn in as a U.S. senator on Tuesday, to fill her late brother’s seat.
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Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly on Saturday from a tear in his aorta. He was 71.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham on Monday.
Darline Graham is the first woman to ever hold the office of United States Senator from the Palmetto State.
Background
She’s no stranger to public service. She served in public office in the South Carolina state government for 28 years. Darline Graham said her goal will be to finish what her brother started.
Lindsey Graham, who was not married and did not have children, was exceptionally close to his sister. He became her legal guardian after their parents died, when he was 22 and she was 13. She often appeared at his campaign events and supported him in speeches and campaign ads, and she was there as he filed reelection paperwork earlier this year, along with her children and grandchildren.
Eyeing the run
Filing for the Senate seat starts July 21. A special Republican primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11, with a runoff on Aug. 25 if needed. The general election will take place on Nov. 3.
It’s unclear if Darline Graham will officially run for the seat.
Several Republicans are potentially eyeing a run, including Rep. Nancy Mace.
“Nancy Mace has shown her interest, even though she came in fifth in the gubernatorial primary,” said political scientist Scott Huffmon of Winthrop University.
Others include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Republican Reps. Russell Fry, and Ralph Norman.
“We’ve heard Russell Fry’s name. I’ve even heard people throw back to David Beasley,” Huffmon said.
Huffmon is watching to see if the race becomes as crowded as the Republican race for governor.
“Things are going to move fast, but I do expect a scrum,” he said. “And if we get four or five people in there, the odds of there being a runoff increase dramatically.”
Those who lost in the race for governor, including Norman, could make strong candidates for the Senate seat, because they earned name recognition and campaign funds from that race.
“Ralph Norman was very popular in the Fifth District,” Huffmon said. “He was seen as somebody who went to Washington and pursued a conservative agenda and the Trump agenda. And that’s going to be the kind of thing that Republicans voting in an open primary are going to look for.”
“I think with the federal experience that he brings, that he would probably end up being the right person to handle this job,” said Republican voter Ziembicki.
Some say the turn of events could give Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews some momentum.
“I think so, at least I want to hope so,” said Jen Faton, a Democratic voter. “I know Columbia, Greenville, they’re kind of blue dots and a red sea.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.