COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina's appointment of Darline Graham to the U.S. Senate following the death of her brother, longtime Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, has set in motion an accelerated process to fill both the remainder of his current term and the party's nomination for the November general election.
Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham last week to serve until the current Senate term expires in January 2027, exercising his authority under South Carolina law to fill a Senate vacancy by appointment. Graham, who previously served on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, became the first woman to represent the state in the U.S. Senate.
The appointment follows Lindsey Graham's death earlier this month at the age of 71. He had been seeking another Senate term after securing the Republican nomination before his death. State law requires the Republican Party to hold a special primary to choose a replacement nominee for the November ballot. Filing for that contest opened on July 21 and will continue through July 28, with a special Republican primary scheduled for Aug. 11 and a runoff, if necessary, on Aug. 25. The general election remains scheduled for Nov. 3.
Darline Graham announced on Monday that she will seek the Republican nomination for a full Senate term, entering what is expected to be a competitive primary field. Her decision came days after President Donald Trump publicly endorsed her candidacy.
Several Republicans have also entered or are considering bids for the nomination, reflecting a rapidly developing contest to succeed one of the state's longest-serving senators. The compressed election calendar stems from South Carolina's statutory process for replacing a deceased party nominee during an election year.
In announcing the appointment, McMaster said Darline Graham would continue her late brother's work while serving the remainder of his term. Darline Graham said she intended to carry forward his priorities during her temporary service in the Senate.
The Senate seat will remain on the November ballot, with the winner of the general election taking office when the new Congress convenes in January 2027. Until then, Darline Graham will continue serving under the governor's appointment while the Republican nomination process proceeds according to the state's election schedule.
