Gov. Henry McMaster announced the appointment Monday during a news conference at the Statehouse in Columbia. He said Nordone will serve the remainder of Graham’s current Senate term, which expires in January. Senate Majority Leader John Thune later said she is scheduled to be sworn in Tuesday afternoon.

Nordone will become the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

“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 at age 71. According to a preliminary medical examiner’s report, he suffered an aortic dissection, a tear in the aorta.

McMaster said he contacted Nordone in the early hours after Graham’s death to ask whether she would accept the temporary appointment.

“I had wondered what you would say, and I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve,” the governor said.

McMaster also said President Donald Trump supported the appointment after being informed of the decision. Earlier Monday, Trump publicly endorsed Nordone to temporarily fill the Senate vacancy.

Nordone previously worked as an optician and later held positions with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. She lives in Lexington, graduated from the College of Charleston and earned a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.

She remained close to Graham throughout his political career. After their parents died when they were young, Graham became her legal guardian and helped raise his younger sister. Nordone frequently joined him at campaign events and public appearances.

Speaking emotionally during Monday’s announcement, Nordone addressed her late brother directly.

“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.”

Special Election Process Begins

South Carolina law requires a special election after Graham died while seeking reelection to a fifth Senate term.

Candidate filing opens July 21, the second Tuesday after Graham’s death. Republicans will hold a special primary on Aug. 11, followed by a runoff on Aug. 25 if no candidate wins a majority.

The Republican nominee will then have just over two months to campaign before the Nov. 3 general election.

The compressed timetable also raises questions about compliance with federal law requiring military and overseas ballots to be distributed at least 45 days before federal elections. For the special primary, that deadline would have fallen on June 27. According to The Associated Press, federal election officials did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.

Republicans Consider Potential Candidates

Graham’s death leaves one of South Carolina’s rare open Senate seats, prompting speculation about who may seek the Republican nomination.

Potential candidates include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Russell Fry. Businessman Mark Lynch, whom Graham defeated in this year’s Republican primary, has also been mentioned, along with former Gov. Mark Sanford.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has received inquiries about entering the race. However, a person familiar with the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity because the conversations were private, said Bessent is not interested and intends to remain in the Trump administration.

General Election Outlook

South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in decades, and Republicans have consistently won statewide Senate races by comfortable margins.

Graham defeated Democrat Jaime Harrison by 10 percentage points in the 2020 election.

This year’s Democratic nominee, Charleston pediatrician Annie Andrews, has raised more than $8 million for her campaign and reported nearly $3 million in cash on hand at the end of May, according to federal campaign filings. Before his death, Graham had raised about $6 million and reported just over $4 million remaining.

After Graham’s death, Andrews urged South Carolinians to set aside political differences and express gratitude for his public service.

Harrison also paid tribute on social media, saying that despite their political differences, the two shared a deep respect for South Carolina and the institutions they served.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: U.S. Senate | South Carolina | Lindsey Graham | Darline Graham Nordone | Special Election | Republican Party | Henry McMaster

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Republican state Sen. Randy Fine has secured a victory in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, overcoming a well-funded challenge from Democrat Josh Weil in a high-stakes special election on Tuesday. Fine’s win delivers a crucial hold for the GOP, despite a notably narrower margin compared to former Rep. Mike Waltz’s dominant 33-point win in November.

Fine’s victory came amid shifting political currents, with Democrats showing unexpected enthusiasm in the historically Republican stronghold. The competitive nature of the race reflected growing Democratic momentum fueled by dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s early administration moves. Less than five months before the presidential election, the Democratic surge in fundraising and voter turnout signaled potential vulnerabilities for Republicans nationwide.

Fine faced internal party criticism in the final stretch of the race, with some Republicans questioning his campaign strategy and fundraising capabilities. National GOP operatives grew increasingly concerned as Weil’s campaign amassed nearly $9 million—an overwhelming advantage compared to Fine’s $1 million war chest. Despite these concerns, Fine’s win dashed Democratic hopes of flipping a district that heavily backed Trump in 2020.

Fine, a self-proclaimed “conservative firebrand,” ran with Trump’s endorsement, a critical factor in solidifying his base. Shortly after the victory, Trump took to social media, celebrating Fine’s success against what he called a “massive CASH AVALANCHE.”

While national Democrats attributed Weil’s fundraising prowess to widespread opposition to Trump’s policies, that energy ultimately wasn’t enough to overturn Republican dominance in the district. The outcome highlights the challenge Democrats face in flipping deep-red territories, even with substantial financial backing.

Meanwhile, in another closely watched special election in Florida, Republican state official Jimmy Patronis is vying to secure a congressional seat against Democrat Gay Valimont. Patronis aims to replace Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from his attorney general nomination. With the GOP seeking to maintain its edge in the House, a victory for Patronis would push the Republican majority to 220-213.

Valimont, a gun control advocate, significantly outraised Patronis, securing $6.5 million to his $2.1 million. As polls remain open in that race, all eyes are on whether Democrats can capitalize on their financial advantage or if Republicans will once again prove resilient in their stronghold districts.

Fine’s political career began in the Florida House in 2016, where he served until 2024 before successfully transitioning to the Florida Senate. He has built a reputation for his strong pro-Israel stance and controversial efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights, cementing his role as a polarizing figure in Florida politics.

With this latest victory, Fine extends his influence in Florida’s political landscape, reinforcing the Republican grip on the state even in the face of aggressive Democratic opposition.

Source: AP News – Republican Randy Fine wins Florida House seat against well-funded Democratic challenger

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