South Carolina lawmakers are preparing to fill the Senate seat of Lindsey Graham following his death. According to state law, Governor Henry McMaster has the authority to appoint a temporary replacement until January 3, 2027, when Graham's term would have ended. A special primary will be held by August 11 to select a new GOP nominee to face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in the November 2026 midterm elections.
South Carolina allows the governor to appoint a replacement without requiring the appointee to belong to the same political party as the former senator. McMaster has not yet announced his choice for the appointment. In a statement, his office praised Graham as a significant figure for South Carolina and the nation.
Several South Carolina lawmakers have expressed interest in Graham's seat, including House Republican Joe Wilson and Nancy Mace, who previously challenged Graham in a primary in 2014. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has not indicated any plans to pursue the Senate seat. Alan Wilson, the state's attorney general, recently won the Republican gubernatorial primary and is not considered a contender for Graham's seat.
Graham passed away on Saturday night due to a brief and sudden illness, as reported by his office. He was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and was known for his close ties to former President Donald Trump. Emergency services responded to a call regarding chest pains at Graham's residence, where he was later found to be in cardiac arrest. His death occurred shortly after he returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Graham had celebrated his 71st birthday the previous week. His passing, along with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's hospitalization, poses challenges for Senate Republicans by temporarily reducing their majority.