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Lindsey Graham's death triggers scramble to replace him as Congress returns – US politics live | US news

Lindsey Graham’s death led to the appointment of his sister to fill the remainder of his Senate term.

Lindsey Graham's death triggers scramble to replace him as Congress returns – US politics live | US news
Image · The Guardian

SOURCE CHECK

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Outlet credibilityThe Guardian84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 4, 2026
Jul 13, 2026
tl;dr

The live blog reported that South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the rest of Graham’s Senate term. Republicans planned a special primary for a nominee to face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Lindsey Graham Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Graham in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Graham’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Late senator whose death created a Senate vacancy

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Darline Graham
R · SC · SEN

Senator appointed to serve the remainder of her brother’s term

Graham's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Maine senator criticized at a protest and who relayed an update about the investigation

Ed Markey
D · MA · SEN

Senator who called for ICE to be abolished after the Maine shooting

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration and actions appear in several updates

Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense secretary who announced a task force to investigate leaks

Mike Kelly
R · PA-16

Representative who introduced a resolution marking the Butler assassination attempt anniversary

Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator and founder of the organization that organized Troy Jackson’s town hall

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader who supported the idea of appointing Graham’s sister

Markwayne Mullin
Secretary of Homeland Security

Homeland security secretary who discussed the Maine shooting with Angus King

Ilhan Omar
D · MN-5

Representative who called for ICE to be abolished

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

Senator who attended the South Carolina press conference

Former Democratic Senate nominee in Maine

Democratic Senate candidate who spoke at a Maine town hall

Rashida Tlaib
D · MI-12

Representative who condemned ICE and called for its abolition

Elizabeth Warren
D · MA · SEN

Senator who condemned the Maine shooting and criticized ICE

Susie Wiles
R · White House Chief of Staff

White House chief of staff who recalled the aftermath of the Trump assassination attempt

Marco Rubio
Secretary of State

Secretary of state who launched a campaign against the International Criminal Court

Democratic Senate candidate in South Carolina

Angus S. King, Jr.
I · ME · SEN

Maine senator who called for state and local involvement in the shooting investigation

ALSO MENTIONED  Henry McMaster, South Carolina governor who appointed Darline Graham Nordone; Spencer Cox, Utah governor who supported Trump’s changes to the national monuments; Stephen Miller, Trump administration official referenced in Rashida Tlaib’s criticism of ICE

Part of a bigger story

98 OUTLETS
Lindsey Graham’s Death

Outlets agree that Lindsey Graham died after a sudden illness, as his office reported. Left-leaning outlets connect his death to Senate Republican dynamics, debates over his legacy and, in some coverage, speculation about its circumstances. Center outlets emphasize the reported cause of death, tributes and the distinction between preliminary findings and unsupported online claims. Right-leaning outlets emphasize tributes, the Senate vacancy and effects on Republican priorities, alongside reports on the cause of death.

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