As Washington, D.C., continues to be rocked by the sudden death over the weekend of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the wheels are reportedly in motion for a successor to be named – and the announcement will come Monday afternoon.
Graham was running for reelection in 2026 and had just won the Republican primary in June, leaving his home state scrambling to find both an interim senator and a replacement candidate to take his place on the ballot this November. A placeholder could be named to serve out the rest of Graham's term while an upcoming primary – to be held in the coming weeks – finds his permanent replacement.
RedState's Bob Hoge reported Sunday that several names were being batted around, including GOP Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) and South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who recently lost the Republican runoff for governor to Attorney General Alan Wilson. Outgoing GOP Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01), also a loser in the gubernatorial primary, has been dropping some not-so-subtle hints on social media that she'd like the role.
“Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in…” pic.twitter.com/1AzRMPAEuc
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) July 12, 2026
The job of naming Graham's successor falls on South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who is a Republican and a Trump ally. President Trump said on Sunday's Meet the Press, "Henry’s been a great governor, you know now he’s termed out, but he’s going to do the right thing. I think Henry will be fantastic." It's unclear if by "fantastic," the president was referring to McMaster's naming of a temporary replacement or, perhaps, the out-going governor running for the seat himself.
READ MORE: What Happens Now? The Race to Fill Graham's Seat Has Already Begun
Watch: Trump Weighs in on Lindsey Graham's 'Finest Moment' - Highlights on Kavanaugh
Trump, Graham's once-bitter political rival who had grown very close to the four-term senator over the years, took to Truth Social on Monday morning to drop his suggestion on who should serve as South Carolina's interim senator: Lindsey Graham's "wonderful" sister, Darline Graham Nordone.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 13, 2026
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
Trump weighed in with his suggestion just minutes after Gov. McMaster's office announced a Monday afternoon press conference would be held to both remember Sen. Graham and reveal who would temporarily replace him. From the press release: "Governor Henry McMaster will hold a Statehouse press conference to reflect on the life and service of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and announce an appointment to fill the vacancy created by the senator's passing, today, Monday, July 13 at 4:00 PM."
JUST IN: This afternoon, Gov. @henrymcmaster will announce his pick to replace the late Lindsey Graham in the Senate until his term expires in January. pic.twitter.com/gDm7Jf5WCS
— Meg Kinnard (@MegKinnardAP) July 13, 2026
As RedState previously reported, an autopsy showed Graham died of “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease," meaning there was a tear in the senator's aorta caused by the hardening and narrowing of arteries that were the result of underlying cardiovascular disease.
Be sure to stick with RedState for all the latest on who will replace Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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