Senator Darline Graham Makes History

By: Miriam Edelman

Senator Darline Graham (DG) (R-SC) took office on July 14, 2026. DG replaced her late brother, long-time Senator Lindsey Graham (LG) (R-SC), who died on July 11, 2026, days after turning 71 years old. The swearing in of DG means that there are a record 27 female Senators, exceeding the 2020 record of 26 female Senators. DG is South Carolina’s first female Senator and the first sibling to replace a deceased Senator in U.S. history. Of the 65 (almost a third of) female Senators in U.S. history, she is one of the 21 who initially became Senator through an appointment  

DG was born in Central, Pickens County, SC, on June 12, 1964. LG taught DG to spell DG’s name, not correctly. Although “Darlene” appears on her birth certificate, she spells her name with an “i.” LG also taught his sister to ride a bicycle. After LG’s and DG’s parents died a little more than a year apart in 1976, 13-year old DG became an orphan. LG visited his sister during weekends when he was in college. LG became her guardian and later adopted her.

After earning a B.S. from the College of Charleston and an M.A. in rehabilitation counseling from South Carolina State University, DG worked in rehabilitation counseling. She was also a full-time commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and is the President-Elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. She worked with individuals with disabilities for a long time. During an interview, LG said about his sister, “Of all the things that have happened in my life, her turning out so well is the highlight of it by far.”

Although DG was never in elected office until she replaced her brother in the Senate, DG was by LG’s side throughout his political career. When LG ran for the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in 1992, she knocked on doors. In 2015, in a campaign ad, she talked about how he raised her. During at least 2015, she appeared with him when Vice President Joe Biden, who was LG’s long-time Congressional colleague, conducted a ceremonial swearing-in of LG for his third term in the Senate. At LG’s Presidential campaign launch in 2015 outside their childhood home, DG introduced her brother. LG never married or had children. When running for President, he answered a question about who would be his First Lady; LG said, “Well, I’ve got a sister. She could play that role if necessary.” He also said, “She would be a great representative of our country. I can’t think of a better person to represent our country in an event than my sister.” Just earlier in 2026, DG, her children, and her grandchildren were with LG when he filed reelection papers.

After LG died, Trump initially wanted Representative Russell Fry to replace him. In 2022, Fry had defeated five-term Representative Tom Rice (who had voted to impeach Trump in 2011 for the January 6^th attacks) in a Republican primary election before winning the general election. Trump told his recommendation to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who had the authority to appoint LG’s replacement and who was the first statewide elected person to endorse Trump’s 2016 presidential bid. However, McMaster wanted DG, whom he thought would be “the perfect caretaker.” After McMaster suggested DG and talked about the close relationship between LG and DG, Trump agreed with McMaster. Then, McMaster called DG, who agreed to replace LG.  Meanwhile, Trump still wanted Fry for LG’s upcoming full six-year term, but people were concerned that if Fry won the Senate race in 2026, the Republicans would at least temporarily lose one Representative in the House.

On social media, Trump took credit for the idea of a Senator DG:

“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! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

On July 13, 2026, McMaster named DG for the rest of LG’s term and in accordance with Section 7-19-20 of the South Carolina Code of Laws DG will serve until January 3, 2027.

McMaster’s office described the 2026 elections for DG’s seat:

“Ms. Graham will serve until January 3, 2027, when the new Congress convenes following the November 2026 general election.”

“Because Senator Graham was the South Carolina Republican Party's nominee for the 2026 U.S. Senate election, state law allows the Party to hold a special primary election to nominate a candidate to replace Senator Graham on the ballot.”

 “Filing for the special primary election will be open from July 21 through July 28, 2026. The special primary will be held August 11, with a runoff, if necessary, on August 25. The general election will proceed as scheduled on November 3, 2026.”

After McMaster appointed DG, DG said:

“I want to thank the governor for selecting me to serve the remainder of Lindsay's term. It is such an honor. Lindsay has always been there for me and now I will be there for him. My brother was the most amazing person, outstanding leader and just a genuinely good man. He was kind and considerate and loved by his family dearly. As I think everyone would agree, Lindsay worked harder than anyone. He worked nonstop to make our state, country, and world better. He loved his family and loved serving this state and our country. He dedicated his life to our country. 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. I know Lindsay thought the world of his staff and colleagues, and with their support, I feel confident. I think this is what Lindsay would have wanted, and I plan to honor him in this way. Now, to Lindsay, I miss you more than I can even put into words, but I'm going to do this. I got it.”

On July 14^th, DG was sworn in. NBC News reported that DG “is expected to be a reliable vote for the Republican majority.” Although DG’s legal name is “Darline Graham Nordone,” she goes by “Darline Graham” in the Senate.

DG had been expected to be a caretaker Senator, serving just the last six months of LG’s term. Her appointment initially may be similar to “widow’s succession,” when wives of male elected officials temporarily took their husband’s seat until a replacement was elected.  

Sometime, DG, Trump, Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others met in the Oval Office. A government employee gave Trump a list of possible replacements for LG. Fry, DG, and others were on the list. DG asked Trump her thoughts about her running for LG’s seat. Multiple people had encouraged her to make the run. DG was the only one on that list whom Trump loved. The next day, Trump endorsed DG. 

However, on July 17, 2026, days after Trump said he expected to DG be a Senator temporarily, he urged her to run for a complete term. On social media, Trump wrote:

“It was my Honor to welcome now Senator Darline Graham Nordone (The sister of the Late, Great Lindsey Graham!), from the Wonderful State of South Carolina, into the Oval Office. We have known each other for a long time — She is a spectacular person, and a true American Patriot. Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina. During her visit, I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey. Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. RUN, DARLINE, RUN! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

DG’s interest in running for a full term surprised major Republicans in South Carolina. South Carolina Republican Party Chair Drew McKissick said, “My understanding is that she told Governor [Henry] McMaster that she would accept the appointment to fill the rest of the term, not to be a candidate for it.”

On July 20^th, DG announced that she is running for a full term. In an interview on the “Hannity” show, she said, “I have been praying a lot, talking to my family... I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes. Absolutely.” On July 19^th, she wrote a friend, “I have been praying hard. You are so right, I loved Lindsey beyond words and if I do decide to run it will not be for self ambition it will be to carry on Lindsey’s legacy and to help the people of SC.”

Will DG serve more than just months? We will know soon.