July 15, 2026, 06:20July 15, 2026, 06:20
The younger sister of US Senator Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly, has taken over his office. Darline Graham Nordone was sworn in as Senator for South Carolina in the US House. She has not yet appeared politically.
Darline Graham Nordone is sworn in as her brother’s successor.Image: keystone
The Washington Post wrote that she has no political past and that little is publicly known about her own political views.
The term of office of the deceased senator and Trump ally ends in January 2027, until then Darline Graham Nordone will take over – i.e. several months. The following term for the senatorship will be voted on in the congressional midterm elections on November 3rd. Lindsey Graham had actually already been chosen as the Republican candidate. A new candidate has not yet been chosen.
Trump ally Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly at the weekend at the age of 71. His office announced that he died as a result of vascular disease.
Lindsey Graham died at the age of 71.Image: keystone
According to South Carolina law, if a senator dies, the governor can appoint a successor.
What connects the siblings
With the confirmation of Graham Nordone, the state of South Carolina will be represented by a female senator for the first time.
According to media reports, the two siblings lost their parents within a few months. After her mother died of cancer in 1976, her father died of a heart attack 15 months later, as the New York Times and the Washington Post reported. At the time, Graham Nordone was 13 years old, her brother Lindsey was starting his law studies in his early 20s. “Lindsey took me in his arms and promised me that he would always be there for me and always take care of me,” she told US radio station NPR in 2015.
Graham Nordone will be in office until January.Image: keystone
According to media reports, the future senator then decided to take over guardianship of his sister and also adopt her so that Graham Nordone would have social security during his military service. “He is something like a brother, father and mother in one person,” the New York Times quoted her as saying in 2015.
Graham Nordone began her career as an optometrist before taking various jobs at Clemson University in South Carolina and the state Department of Labor. According to Fox News, she has more than 28 years of experience in federal leadership roles and works as a commissioner for a blind agency. (dab/sda/dpa)