Lindsey Graham's sister set to be tapped to serve out Senate term
Darline Graham accepted an appointment to serve the remainder of her late brother’s Senate term.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Yahoo News, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
Yahoo News is an established national news publisher with editorial infrastructure and attribution, though this story appears to carry reporting associated with another outlet. The article identifies key participants and attributes their statements.
- Source type — Established national news publisher; a strong baseline for editorial standards.
- Author attribution — A named author is identified.
- Transparency — The report attributes key statements to named officials and identifies the source of additional reporting.
- Editorial standards — The story is written as factual news, but the page gives limited detail about corrections practices.
The article gives a clear account of the appointment, identifies the officials involved, and attributes their statements. It includes the vacancy’s election timeline but offers little independent context about the appointment process or potential objections.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article provides several direct statements and explains the coming election, but includes support for the appointment without a critical or opposing perspective or much context on the appointment process.
- Source diversity — Includes comments from the governor, appointee, Senate majority leader, and supporters, but no critics.
- Counterarguments presented — No opposing view of the appointment is included.
- Opinion vs reporting — The piece is presented as straight news and attributes evaluative statements.
- Omitted context — Offers little explanation of the appointment process or possible alternatives.
The report uses neutral language and attributes its descriptions of the appointment and endorsements to the people involved. It does not use discernibly partisan framing.
- Language tone — Mostly factual and neutral, with emotional language confined to an attributed description of the announcement.
- Source selection — Quotes the governor, the appointee, and supporters of the choice.
- Framing — Centers on the appointment and vacancy rather than making an argument about either party.
Republished with credit
Republished from CBS News, with credit to the original publisher.
193 stories · 84–85 · updated Oct 6, 2026
This is CBS News's own score, and this article is credited to CBS News. The host score in the Source Check is Yahoo News's.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term. She can serve until a new Congress convenes, while a special Republican primary and November election will determine who wins the full term.
McMaster announced Darline Graham’s appointment to fill the vacancy left by Lindsey Graham’s death. Darline said it was a privilege to finish some of her brother’s work, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said she would be sworn in Tuesday afternoon. The appointment allows her to serve until at least Jan. 3, when a new Congress convenes.
McMaster said he raised the possibility shortly after Lindsey Graham’s death and that Darline quickly accepted. President Trump had recommended her, and Sen. Tim Scott voiced support. Lindsey Graham had been running for reelection; a special Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, and the November winner will secure a full six-year term.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSED
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.
People in this story
SWIPE →Appointed to serve the remainder of the vacant South Carolina Senate term
Late senator whose death left the Senate vacancy
President who recommended Darline Graham for the appointment
Senate majority leader who announced the planned swearing-in
South Carolina senator who supported Darline Graham’s appointment
Part of a bigger story
96 OUTLETSOutlets agree South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to complete the Senate term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, following a recommendation from Donald Trump. Left-leaning outlets focus on nepotism and qualification questions, with Newsone arguing the pick exposes political double standards. Center outlets emphasize the succession process and South Carolina's special election timeline. Right-leaning outlets highlight Donald Trump's backing and praise the appointment as a fitting continuation of Lindsey Graham's legacy.
- ARTICLES
- 125
- OUTLETS
- 96
- AVG CRED
- 70
Discussion · 0
Loading comments…