The sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has initiated a two-part process to fill his vacancy, with former President Donald Trump signaling his involvement in selecting a successor. Graham's passing leaves the Republican Party with 51 effective votes in the Senate, heightening the urgency to find a replacement.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican and close ally of Trump, is tasked with appointing a temporary replacement for Graham. This appointee will serve until a special or general election can be held. Trump stated in an interview that he has a candidate in mind whom he believes would be "great" but chose not to name them out of respect for Graham's recent passing.
Governor McMaster has not yet announced when he will make the temporary appointment or whom he is considering. Senator Graham was actively campaigning for his fifth term and had secured a primary victory earlier in the month. The appointed replacement will serve out the remainder of Graham's current term, which concludes at the end of the year.
The process for selecting a long-term successor includes a special election. The candidate filing period for the Republican nomination opens July 21, with the election scheduled for August 11, according to South Carolina law.
Several prominent South Carolina Republicans are being discussed as potential candidates for the special election. Governor McMaster, who is termed out of his current office, is among those who could enter the race. Trump has publicly endorsed McMaster in the past, calling him a "great governor."
Other potential contenders include members of South Carolina's Republican congressional delegation. Representative Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who recently competed for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, is reportedly considering a bid for Graham's Senate seat. Representative Joe Wilson, R-S.C., the longest-serving Republican in the state's delegation, has stated his intention to remain in the House to maintain the Republican majority there. Representatives Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, William Timmons, and Sheri Biggs have not yet indicated whether they will seek the nomination. Pamela Evette, who received Trump's endorsement in the governor's race, is also considered a potential candidate.
Representatives for the potential candidates were contacted for comment but had not immediately responded.