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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Graham's death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite

Graham’s death triggered the process to appoint an interim senator and choose a long-term successor.

Graham's death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
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SOURCE CHECK

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Host credibilityYahoo News76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 4, 2026

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Republished from Fox News, with credit to the original publisher.

Fox News70/100 HIGH

1,162 stories · 69.6–70.1 · updated Oct 6, 2026

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Yahoo Newsvia Fox News
Jul 13, 2026
tl;dr

Lindsey Graham’s death has opened a South Carolina Senate vacancy, with Gov. Henry McMaster expected to appoint a temporary replacement and a special election set to choose a successor. President Donald Trump said he has a preferred candidate but declined to identify them.

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)

South Carolina senator whose death created the vacancy

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President signaling that he has a preferred candidate for the Senate vacancy

Trump's version of this story ↗
Nancy Mace
R · SC-1

South Carolina representative reported to be considering a Senate bid

Russell Fry
R · SC-7

South Carolina representative mentioned as a possible contender

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Kentucky senator whose absence further reduces the Senate Republican majority

Ralph Norman
R · SC-5

South Carolina representative reported to be considering a Senate bid

Joe Wilson
R · SC-2

South Carolina representative who said he plans to remain in the House

Sheri Biggs
R · SC-3

South Carolina representative mentioned as a possible contender

South Carolina representative mentioned as a possible contender

ALSO MENTIONED  Henry McMaster, South Carolina governor who can appoint an interim senator and is mentioned as a possible contender; Alan Wilson, South Carolina attorney general and Republican gubernatorial candidate mentioned in Evette’s race history; Pamela Evette, South Carolina lieutenant governor mentioned as a possible interim appointee and Senate candidate

Part of a bigger story

46 OUTLETS
Lindsey Graham's Death Leaves South Carolina Senate Vacancy

Outlets agree that Lindsey Graham died, leaving a vacancy in South Carolina’s Senate seat. Coverage also reports an interim appointment and a process to select a successor for the election. Left-leaning outlets focus on Trump’s stated interest in a possible interim replacement; one also highlights a poll in Graham’s Senate race. Center outlets mainly explain how the vacancy will be filled. Right-leaning outlets also cover succession, pairing it with tributes and reactions; some present passage of a bill Graham supported as a way to honor him.

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