Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, was appointed on Monday by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of Graham's term, which ends in early January.
“Today, under the law, it’s my duty and honor to name someone to serve in the place of this irresistible man, this irreplaceable man, this extraordinary man, for the remainder of his term,” McMaster, also Republican, said at a news conference. “Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. It’s my honor to ask his little sister Darline Graham to finish his work for him now.”
Graham Nordone thanked McMaster during a news conference for selecting her. "It is such an honor. Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him," she said.
US President Donald Trump had recommended Graham Nordone to serve as the state's interim senator, calling the appointment "a fabulous tribute" to the longtime Republican lawmaker in a post on Truth Social.
"I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina. This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!," the President said in his Truth post.
Graham, one of Trump's closest allies in the Senate, died over the weekend after a brief illness. Trump has repeatedly paid tribute to the South Carolina Republican, praising his longtime ally's service and urging McMaster to appoint Nordone as his interim replacement.
According to the Associated Press, a person familiar with the appointment process said that an interim senator would be sworn in on Wednesday, and that Senator Tim Scott, who had spoken with Graham's sister multiple times since his passing, would be present at the announcement.
CBS News cited sources saying that McMaster will indeed tap Nordone to fill the seat at a conference scheduled for 4 p.m. on Monday.
A special election will be held next month to pick a new GOP nominee to fill Graham's seat.
Graham, who had been seeking re-election for his fifth term, left a void in South Carolina's Senate seats, with Republicans from the state finding themselves clambering for the suddenly empty position.