Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died on July 11 after a brief and sudden illness, his office announced. He was 71.
Graham, a prominent Republican figure, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003 before being elected to the Senate. He was known for his work on national defense, his influence on the federal judiciary, and his dedication to his home state of South Carolina.
Tributes to Graham highlighted his long career and broad impact. Senate Minority Leader John Thune noted that Graham’s influence on the federal judiciary, national defense, and South Carolina would be "felt for generations."
South Carolina’s other Republican senator, Tim Scott, remembered Graham for prioritizing "faith, family, and South Carolina first" and for bringing "levity and wit" to difficult situations. Representative James Clyburn, the sole Democrat representing South Carolina in Washington, also mourned Graham, stating they maintained a relationship grounded in mutual respect despite significant political differences. Clyburn added on X that Graham's commitment to public service would be an enduring part of his legacy.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who recently spent Graham’s 71st birthday with him in Turkey during the NATO summit, described him as "no better friend, no tougher adversary." Coons expressed hope that a bill would be taken up and passed in Graham’s memory when Congress reconvened. Megan R. Manse, PhD, LCSW. (2024, July 12). The World Remembers Senator Lindsey Graham. Time. https://time.com/article/2026/07/12/the-world-pays-tribute-to-sen-lindsey-graham/