South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster named Darline Graham Nordone to serve out U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s term. Nordone, Graham’s sister, was a close personal and political adviser to the late Senator before his sudden death this weekend.
At a press conference in Columbia, Nordone thanked the Governor and promised to continue Graham’s work.
“To Lindsey, I miss you more than I can even put into words, but I’m going to do this. I got it,” she said.
McMaster said he spoke to Nordone on Sunday evening and she agreed to accept the appointment.
“Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. It’s my honor to ask his little sister, Darline Graham, to finish his work for him now,” McMaster said. “And by the way, Darlene, I don’t know if I told you, but after we spoke on the phone in the wee hours of Sunday morning, and you agreed to serve through tears, earlier I had wondered what you would say. And I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve.”
The appointment follows a conversation with McMaster and President Donald Trump following the death of Graham, a close ally of the President in the Senate. Trump earlier in the day endorsed Nordone’s appointment.
“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina. This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Nordone will serve until new Senators are sworn in January. It’s unclear if she will run in an Aug. 11 Special Election to determine the Republican nominee replacing Graham on the General Election ballot.
The move immediately drew support, including from some likely candidates in the Special Election.
“I wholeheartedly support the President in his recommendation. What a wonderful idea!” posted U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who recently lost a Primary for Governor and is set to leave Congress at the end of this term.
Multiple members of South Carolina’s congressional delegation said they were not interested in the interim appointment primarily because that could threaten a slim GOP majority in the U.S. House.
“I was grateful to speak with President Trump today reminiscing about our mutual friend, Senator Lindsey Graham. I assured him my goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority for the American people!” posted U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, another candidate with rumored interest in the coming Special Election.
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott had initially signaled support for former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy to fill the seat, but then supported Trump’s recommendation once issued.
“Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, would be a fantastic pick to serve out the remainder of the senate term,” Scott posted. “After speaking with Darline, there is no one better who understands Lindsey’s love for family, our state, and our country.
