South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster moved quickly Monday to appoint Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, to complete the remainder of her brother’s term following his sudden death over the weekend. Nordone, a Republican, is expected to serve only through January, with a special GOP primary set for August to determine who will fill the full six-year term.
McMaster announced the appointment at a press conference, describing it as both a duty and an honor. “Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. It’s my honor to ask his little sister, Darline Graham, to finish his work for him now,” he said. The governor noted the legal requirement to fill the vacancy and emphasized the personal significance of the choice.
Nordone, Graham’s only sibling, thanked McMaster for the appointment, calling it “an honor.” She reflected on her brother’s role in her life, stating, “Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him.” The two shared a close bond, rooted in a difficult childhood after their mother died of Hodgkin lymphoma when Graham was in his early 20s and Nordone was just 11. Fifteen months later, their father passed away, leaving Graham to raise his sister.
In a 2015 speech at Graham’s presidential kickoff event, Nordone recalled her brother’s promise to always care for her. “He wrapped his arms around me and promised me that he would always be there for me and always take care of me,” she said. “He even legally adopted me.” Graham later described her as the highlight of his life, telling C-SPAN in 2015, “Of all the things that have happened in my life, her turning out so well is the highlight of it.”
President Donald Trump threw his support behind Nordone earlier Monday, calling her appointment a “fabulous tribute” to her brother. Trump’s backing could shape the upcoming special primary, with other potential candidates, including Rep. Ralph Norman, already seeking the former president’s endorsement. The race to replace Graham is expected to draw significant attention, given his decades of influence on national security and foreign policy.
Nordone, who has two daughters, has worked in helping people with disabilities find employment, according to The New York Times. She was featured in one of Graham’s campaign ads and even joked in a 2015 interview that she could serve as his First Lady if he were elected president. Her appointment comes as Graham’s death reshapes the Senate landscape, with a succession battle already underway.
McMaster’s decision to appoint Nordone avoids an immediate special election, giving state Republicans time to organize a primary. The August primary will determine the GOP nominee for the full term, with the general election likely in November. The timing of Graham’s death has also raised questions about pending legislation, including a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill he had been championing.
Nordone’s appointment is a temporary fix, but it underscores the personal and political ties that define South Carolina’s Republican establishment. For now, she steps into a role that her brother held for over two decades, with the full weight of his legacy behind her.
