U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a representative from South Carolina, died on Saturday evening at the age of 71 following a "brief and sudden illness," his office announced. Graham's family has requested prayers and privacy during this difficult time.
Graham, who never married, is survived by his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, and other relatives. His death occurred just days after he traveled to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion.
During his tenure, Graham served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and held positions on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Prior to his time in the Senate, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994.
Graham also had a distinguished military career, serving on active duty as an Air Force lawyer for six-and-a-half years. He later joined the South Carolina Air National Guard, serving until 1995, and was called to active duty during the Gulf War.