Darline Graham Nordone, the sister adopted and raised by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, is expected to be appointed to his South Carolina Senate seat. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is scheduled to announce the appointment at a press conference.
Former President Donald Trump publicly supported Darline Graham Nordone for the interim position, posting on Truth Social that it "would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly."
A Republican primary in August will determine who will serve the remainder of Graham's term, which expires in January.
Lindsey Graham was 22 years old when his parents died 15 months apart, leaving him to raise his then 13-year-old sister, Darline. He adopted her to allow her to access his military benefits, according to reports. In an advertisement for Graham's re-election campaign, Darline tearfully recalled his promise after their parents' deaths: "Lindsey came running in and just grabbed me up and hugged me. He was like, 'I am so sorry, but it's going to be OK. I’m going to take care of you.' And he did. He’s always been there for me."
She credited her brother with supporting her through high school and college, and he often spoke of her success as a highlight of his life. In 2015, Graham, who remained a lifelong bachelor, told the Daily Mail that Darline could serve as first lady if he were to reach the White House.
The siblings grew up in Central, South Carolina, where their parents operated a bar, pool hall, and liquor store. Their mother died of Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1976, and their father died of a heart attack about a year later. Darline moved in with relatives while Lindsey Graham completed his studies. He would travel home on weekends to care for her while attending the University of South Carolina. He later enlisted in the Air Force.
Darline Graham Nordone has two daughters and built a career assisting people with disabilities in finding employment. She introduced Senator Graham at the launch of his presidential bid in 2015, stating, "Lindsey was always my parent. There was no doubt in my mind or anyone else's mind that Lindsey was my guardian."
Senator Graham died at age 71. Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia's medical examiner's office indicated his death was caused by an aortic dissection due to cardiovascular disease, following paramedics being called to his Capitol Hill home for reports of chest pains on Saturday night. His sister and her two daughters were his closest surviving family members.