Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, chosen to serve out Senate term
Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has been selected to serve out the remainder of his term before the next election.
Graham, 71, died suddenly due to a tear in his aorta that was related to the hardening of his arteries. The health emergency occurred after traveling back to the U.S. from Ukraine.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced Monday afternoon that he was selecting Nordone, Graham’s younger sister, to serve out the late senator's term.
At the press conference announcing the selection, Nordone thanked the many people who gave their condolences to her and her family over the past couple of days, saying that “Lindsey was loved and respected by many.”
Nordone said that the “shared experiences” of those giving remembrances of her brother as well as “our faith have gotten us through these two very difficult days.”
“Lindsey has always been there for me and now I will be there for him,” she continued. “My brother was the most amazing person, outstanding leader, and just a genuinely good man.”
“He was kind and considerate and loved by his family dearly. As I think everyone would agree, Lindsey worked harder than anyone. He worked nonstop to make our state, country, and world better.”
Nordone told those gathered that she considered it “a privilege to get to finish some of his important work,” vowing to “work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States.”
A former GOP presidential candidate in 2016 and an Air Force veteran, Graham’s office announced over the weekend that he had died from a "brief and sudden illness."
Graham was known for advancing multiple conservative causes, including pro-life policy efforts, and for advancing what many considered a hawkish foreign policy.
Graham was initially a strong critic of Trump, especially during the 2016 Republican presidential primary season; however, he later worked with the president on various public policy initiatives.
Trump told NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday that he considered Graham to be "like a member of the family” and praised Graham's ability to work with ideological enemies.
"He was such an advocate. If he wanted to get something, he had a unique ability to deal with Democrats and Republicans," Trump said. "If [I] had a problem — a real problem — I wouldn't often ask. But if I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out. He was a great politician, actually."
For his part, Trump had advocated for Nordone to be selected to fill her deceased brother’s seat, writing earlier on Monday on Truth Social that she would be a good choice.
“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.
