The Republican majority in the United States Senate has suffered a setback with the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, but the disadvantage is likely to be short-lived. Currently, Republicans hold 52 seats in the 100-member chamber after losing Graham to a 'brief and sudden illness' late on Saturday, according to his office.
South Carolina's election laws give Republican Governor Henry McMaster the authority to immediately appoint a replacement to fill Graham's seat. 'In case of a vacancy in the office of United States Senator from death, resignation or otherwise, the Governor may fill the place by appointment,' the law states.
Graham's term was set to expire in January, and he was running for re-election in the November midterm vote. A primary will be held next month to determine the Republican nominee, with the first round of voting set for August 11 and a potential run-off on August 25.
McMaster released a brief statement mourning Graham without mentioning plans to replace him. The law does not set a timeline for the appointment, but the governor is likely to fill the seat quickly to ensure that President Donald Trump's agenda is not disrupted in the Senate. Graham was one of Trump's closest allies on Capitol Hill.
In his statement, McMaster called the late senator the 'fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America and a loyal and steadfast friend.' 'We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff,' McMaster said, referring to Graham's sister. 'May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.'
It is unclear who McMaster might select as Graham's replacement. The governor could appoint a placeholder candidate who would not seek a full term in November, to avoid influencing the election process. Alternatively, he may choose someone who would run for the full term, giving his pick incumbent status and boosting their chances at the ballot box.
The White House might weigh in, as Trump has suggested he is considering backing a candidate. 'I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don't want to say it now because it's just too soon with Lindsey,' the US president told NBC News.
South Carolina, a southern state on the US Atlantic coast, has been a Republican stronghold for decades. Trump won the state by nearly 18 percentage points in 2024. However, polls suggested Graham was not cruising to re-election, with his Democratic opponent, pediatrician Annie Andrews, closing the gap. A June poll by Impact Research showed the late senator leading by only three percent. Graham had become a polarizing figure even within the Republican base due to his staunch devotion to Israel and support for the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Source: www.aljazeera.com