Politics

Trump Reveals Who He Wants To Replace Lindsey Graham

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump announced Monday that he recommended former Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister replace him.

Trump recommended that Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appoint Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to fill her late brother’s seat until January. McMaster has the power to appoint a replacement until a special election is held.

“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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Graham died suddenly Saturday at 71 from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a preliminary report. He was up for reelection in November and won his primary bid in June against businessman Mark Lynch.

Trump endorsed Graham in April and claimed he would never let voters down.

McMaster is expected to announce Graham’s temporary replacement Monday at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Republican South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette was expected to be a top contender.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN that appointing Nordone would make “a lot of sense.”

Graham adopted Nordone in 1978 when she was 13 years old. Their mother died from Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1976 and their father died of a heart attack about 15 months later.

“I can remember the day my father passed away, standing in the living room of that house, absolutely scared to death,” Darline told NPR in 2015. “Lindsey wrapped his arms around me and promised me he would always be there for me and always take care of me.”

Nordone declined to comment on Trump’s recommendation in a statement to the New York Post, stating that she was “devastated” by her brother’s passing. 

“Actually, I’m just kind of like devastated right now,” Nordone said.

Graham’s death will cause difficulty for Senate Republicans as they try to pass their legislative agenda. The senator was a staunch support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act and likely would have advanced acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis expressed concern that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would not be independent from Trump’s influence if Blanche becomes the next attorney general.

Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee and would have led the effort to pass a third reconciliation bill. Republican Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who is set to take over for Graham, is a well-known fiscal hawk who has demanded cuts to federal spending, especially social programs, according to Punchbowl News. 

Graham was also set to replace 92-year-old Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley as the next Senate Judiciary chairman, according to Politico. Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas or Josh Hawley of Missouri will be the most senior Republicans on the committee.

The South Carolina senator’s passing could make it harder for Republicans to receive the necessary votes on partisan pieces of legislation. Republican Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell missed votes while remaining hospitalized.