Speculation Grows Over Lindsey Graham's Senate Successor

WHO:

NBC News - South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to serve out the remainder of Lindsey Graham's term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will hold a press conference to announce his appointment to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Lindsey Graham's death at 4 p.m. on Monday.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Darline Graham Nordone is expected to be appointed by Gov. McMaster to serve out the rest of Lindsey Graham's term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette stated she has received "inundated" calls and texts urging her to run for the now-open Senate seat.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Rep. Nancy Mace posted a clip from "The Godfather Part III" on X, indicating her consideration of a Senate bid.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette stated it was "disheartening" that the conversation had turned to politics so quickly after Graham's passing, adding, "There'll be a time for that."

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Rep. Nancy Mace expressed that she would "be remiss" if she didn't "at least consider" a bid for the open Senate seat.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Rep. Ralph Norman secured 17% of the vote in the gubernatorial primary.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Rep. Russell Fry was elected to the House in 2022 and previously served in South Carolina's General Assembly.

CBS News - President Trump recommended that South Carolina's governor appoint Darline Graham Nordone, the late Senator Lindsey Graham's sister, to serve out the rest of his term in the Senate.

US Magazine - Comedian Margaret Cho, 57, criticized Senator Lindsey Graham in a TikTok post following his death.

NBC News - Lawmakers from both parties are remembering the life and legacy of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

IJR - Trump hinted at a preferred pick for Graham's replacement.

IJR - Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat.

NBC News - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) died at the age of 71.

Newsweek - Several prominent GOP figures are emerging as possible contenders for the South Carolina Senate seat.

WHAT:

NBC News - The special primary election to fill Lindsey Graham's Senate seat is set for August 11, with a potential runoff on August 25 if no candidate secures a majority.

NBC News - The winner of the special primary will advance to the general election on November 3, where they will face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The special primary election is set to take place on August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held on August 25.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The winner of the special primary will advance to the general election on November 3, where they will face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Republicans have one week, from July 21 to July 28, to file to run for Graham's Senate seat.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The special primary election is set to take place on August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held on August 25.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The winner of the special primary will advance to the general election on November 3, where they will face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint Darline Graham Nordone to serve out the rest of Lindsey Graham's term, which ends on January 3, 2027.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The special primary election is set to take place on August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held on August 25.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The winner of the special primary will advance to the general election on November 3, where they will face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Republicans have one week, from July 21 to July 28, to file to run for Graham's Senate seat.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will hold a press conference to announce his appointment to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Lindsey Graham's death at 4 p.m. on Monday.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - A special primary election is set to take place on August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held on August 25.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The winner of the special primary will advance to the general election on November 3, where they will face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Graham secured more than 56% of the vote in the South Carolina Republican Senate primary in early June.

CBS News - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will hold a press conference to announce his appointment to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Lindsey Graham's death on Monday.

ABC News - A special election will be held in the coming months to fill Lindsey Graham's Senate seat permanently.

WTNH - South Carolina law mandates a special Republican primary to select a replacement nominee for the November election.

NY Post - The race to fill Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat is described as one of the most consequential Senate races in years.

ABC News - A special election will be held in the coming months to permanently fill Lindsey Graham's Senate seat.

WTNH - South Carolina law specifies that voters will choose who serves the next Senate term through the election process established under state law.

WTNH - South Carolina law mandates a special Republican primary to select a replacement nominee for the November election.

NY Post - The race to fill Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat is described as one of the most consequential Senate races in years.

US Magazine - Margaret Cho stated, “Bye Lindsey, bye Lindsey Graham. From the closet to the coffin, real seamless. Real seamless,” in her social media post.

NBC News - A new image of Sen. Mitch McConnell was released, raising questions about his health after he was hospitalized last month following a fall.

IJR - The race to replace Lindsey Graham has officially begun among GOP contenders.

IJR - A special election will be held to fill the Senate seat permanently following Graham's death.

NBC News - Lawmakers from both parties are remembering the life and legacy of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Newsweek - The death of Lindsey Graham has triggered a dual-track process in South Carolina to fill his Senate seat and his spot on the GOP ballot.

WHERE:

NBC News - South Carolina is the location where questions about Graham's successor are being raised.

WHEN:

NBC News - The special primary election is scheduled for August 11, with a runoff on August 25 if necessary.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The special primary election is set to take place on August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held on August 25.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The winner will advance to the Nov. 3 general election, taking on Democrat Annie Andrews in the fight for a six-year term.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - Republicans have one week, from July 21 to July 28, to file to run for Graham's Senate seat.

US Magazine - Margaret Cho's TikTok was shared on Sunday, July 12, after the news of Graham's death broke.

Newsweek - The process to fill Graham's Senate seat is ongoing following his death.

WHY:

NBC News - The urgency to fill the Senate seat is heightened by the upcoming general election on November 3.

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The urgency to fill the Senate seat is heightened by the upcoming general election on November 3.

NBC News - There is growing scrutiny regarding the health of Mitch McConnell, who is 84 years old.

IJR - The urgency to fill the Senate seat is heightened by Trump's involvement and preferences.

NBC News - There is growing scrutiny about fellow Republican Mitch McConnell’s health after a newly released statement and photo of the 84-year-old GOP senator.

HOW:

[12:45 PM EDT] - CBS News - The process for filling the Senate seat includes a temporary appointment by the governor and a subsequent special election.

Fox News - Trump recommended Darline Graham Nordone as interim senator for South Carolina, while Tim Scott is advocating for a placeholder ahead of the special election.

WTNH - The process for filling the Senate seat includes a temporary appointment by the governor and a subsequent special election.

IJR - The process for filling the Senate seat includes a temporary appointment by the governor and a subsequent special election.

Newsweek - The process to fill the Senate seat involves a dual-track approach in South Carolina.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 22:13 UTC)

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has appointed Darline Graham Nordone to serve out the remainder of Lindsey Graham's term. A special primary election to fill Graham's Senate seat is set for August 11, with a potential runoff on August 25 if no candidate secures a majority, and the winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election on November 3. The urgency to fill this Senate seat is heightened by the approaching general election.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 21:15 UTC)

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. on Monday to announce his appointment of Darline Graham Nordone to fill the vacancy left by Senator Lindsey Graham's death. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will take place on August 25, with the winner advancing to the general election on November 3 to face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term. Republicans have a one-week window from July 21 to July 28 to file to run for Graham's Senate seat.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 19:20 UTC)

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has reported receiving a flood of calls and texts encouraging her to run for the now-open Senate seat, while Rep. Nancy Mace shared a clip from "The Godfather Part III" on X, hinting at her own interest in a Senate bid. The special primary election is scheduled for August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will take place on August 25, with the winner advancing to the general election on November 3 to face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term. Republicans have a narrow window from July 21 to July 28 to file their candidacies, as the urgency to fill the Senate seat is amplified by the approaching general election.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 18:26 UTC)

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has announced the appointment of Darline Graham Nordone to complete Lindsey Graham's term, which runs until January 3, 2027. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11, and if no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will take place on August 25. The winner will move on to the general election on November 3, where they will compete against Democrat Annie Andrews for a full six-year term.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 17:35 UTC)

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. on Monday to announce his appointment to fill the vacancy left by Senator Lindsey Graham's death. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will take place on August 25, with the winner advancing to the general election on November 3 to face Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year term. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette expressed her dismay over the quick shift to political discussions following Graham's passing, while Rep. Nancy Mace indicated she would consider a bid for the open Senate seat.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 16:49 UTC)

President Trump has recommended that South Carolina's governor appoint Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, to fill his Senate seat. Governor Henry McMaster is set to hold a press conference on Monday to announce his decision regarding the appointment. Meanwhile, Senator Tim Scott is pushing for a placeholder to serve until a special election can take place.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 15:50 UTC)

A special election will be held in the coming months to permanently fill Lindsey Graham's Senate seat, which is being described as one of the most consequential Senate races in years. South Carolina law requires a special Republican primary to select a replacement nominee for the November election, following a temporary appointment by the governor. This process highlights the significance of the upcoming race as candidates prepare to vie for this pivotal position.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 14:47 UTC)

A special election will take place in the coming months to permanently fill Lindsey Graham's Senate seat. According to South Carolina law, voters will select who will serve the next Senate term through the established election process. This election is set to ensure that the seat is filled in accordance with state regulations.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 13:38 UTC)

South Carolina has enacted a law requiring a special Republican primary to choose a replacement nominee for the upcoming November election. This race to fill Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat is being characterized as one of the most consequential Senate races in years. As the political landscape shifts, all eyes will be on the candidates vying for this pivotal position.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 11:51 UTC)

Comedian Margaret Cho has taken to TikTok to criticize Senator Lindsey Graham following his death. In her post, she remarked, “Bye Lindsey, bye Lindsey Graham. From the closet to the coffin, real seamless. Real seamless.” Cho's video was shared on Sunday, July 12, shortly after the news of Graham's passing became public.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 07:57 UTC)

Lawmakers from both parties are honoring the life and legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham. Meanwhile, a new image of Senator Mitch McConnell has been released, sparking concerns about his health after he was hospitalized last month due to a fall. At 84 years old, McConnell is facing increasing scrutiny regarding his well-being.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 05:58 UTC)

The race to replace Lindsey Graham has officially begun among GOP contenders, with Trump hinting at a preferred pick for the Senate seat. His involvement and preferences are adding urgency to the process as candidates position themselves for the opportunity. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on who emerges as the frontrunner in this pivotal moment for the GOP.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat following his death. A special election will be held to permanently fill the seat, ensuring that voters have a say in the new representative. The process involves the governor's temporary appointment followed by the upcoming special election.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 00:13 UTC)

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has passed away at the age of 71, prompting lawmakers from both parties to reflect on his life and legacy. In the wake of his death, South Carolina is now engaged in a dual-track process to fill his Senate seat and his position on the GOP ballot, with several prominent GOP figures emerging as potential contenders. Meanwhile, there is increasing scrutiny surrounding the health of fellow Republican Mitch McConnell, following the release of a new statement and photo of the 84-year-old senator.