South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced Monday that he has appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to fill his U.S. Senate seat for the remainder of his term.
"I think this is what Lindsey would have wanted and I plan to honor him in this way," Nordone said at an event announcing her appointment. McMaster stated he had spoken with Nordone on Sunday morning, and she agreed to complete her brother's term. "Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. It's my honor to ask his little sister, Darlene Graham, to finish his work for him now," McMaster said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican lawmaker, died suddenly at age 71 on Saturday. Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia's Medical Examiner indicated his death was due to an "aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease."
President Donald Trump had recommended Nordone to McMaster earlier Monday, calling the appointment a "fabulous tribute" to the late senator.
Separate from this interim appointment, South Carolina will hold a special election on August 11 to determine the Republican nominee for the general election ballot in November.
Graham and Nordone shared a close relationship. After their parents died when Graham was 22, he became his younger sister's legal guardian. In a recent video for Graham's reelection campaign, Nordone said, "He's always been there for me, no matter what."
Details regarding Nordone's political experience or aspirations remain unclear. According to The New York Times, she is a mother of two and has worked to assist individuals with disabilities in finding employment.