Who will serve in U.S. Senate after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death? What we know
Following the sudden death of longtime U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, someone will be named to take his place until January representing South Carolina in Congress.
Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster will name a temporary replacement until the full-time successor is elected. The state Republican Party is expected to hold a primary in August to select a candidate to replace Graham on the ballot.
The person McMaster names will serve until Congress reconvenes in January. Michelle LeClair, spokesperson for McMaster, said the governor’s office is focused on “honoring Graham’s life and service” in a text message.
“Questions regarding the process for filling the vacancy will be addressed by the Governor’s Office when there are updates to share,” LeClair said in a text.
Graham was running for a fifth, six-year term to the U.S. Senate. He easily clinched the Republican nomination last month. Graham died Saturday night in Washington.
South Carolina state law sets out the timeline for replacing a party nominee in the event of their death. A one-week filing period starts the second Tuesday after the death with the primary election being held two Tuesdays after the filing period closes.
Under the outlined timeline, filing would be open July 21-28 and an election would be held August 11. A spokesperson for the South Carolina Republican Party confirmed the timeline.
President Donald Trump said Sunday on Meet the Press he had someone in mind to succeed Graham in Congress. He declined to name anyone, however.
“They’ll have some people joining,” Trump said of the election. “Some are good, some are bad, but I have somebody that I like. But I’m not going to tell you who now because it’s too soon.”
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott also said on Meet the Press he did not know who McMaster would choose as Graham’s temporary replacement, but he expected “at least one or two congress members” to be considered.
“Hard to swallow that life moves so quickly and the party doesn’t stop ever,” Scott said.
Reporter Joseph Bustos contributed reporting to this article.
This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 8:17 AM with the headline "Who will serve in U.S. Senate after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death? What we know."