Lindsey Graham’s Sister Appointed to Finish His Senate Term After Trump’s Backing
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-13 18:27:00 — www.nytimes.com
President Trump Endorses Appointment of Lindsey Graham’s Sister to Senate Seat
President Trump weighed in on the appointment of Darline Graham Nordone to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. In a social media post, Trump called the appointment of Ms. Nordone “a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”
Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, announced the decision hours after Trump’s public endorsement, emphasizing that he consulted with the president after speaking with Ms. Nordone. McMaster stated, “I called the president afterwards, and he thought that it was a great idea.”
Ms. Nordone, who has worked to help people with disabilities find jobs but has no prior political experience, accepted the appointment and said she would finish her brother’s work for the remainder of his term. She indicated she does not plan to run in the upcoming special Republican primary.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina also endorsed the appointment in a social media post following Trump’s remarks.
The appointment comes as South Carolina prepares for a special Republican primary election on August 11, with several potential contenders already emerging. The state’s strong conservative leanings make the Republican nominee a favorite to win the seat in November.
Trump’s endorsement highlights his continued influence over Republican politics in South Carolina and underscores the tradition of appointing family members to fill vacant seats in Congress.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/us/politics/trump-graham-sister-south-carolina-senate.html