Washington — President Trump recommended on Monday that South Carolina’s governor appoint the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, to serve out the rest of his term in the Senate.
“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina,” Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”
Following Mr. Trump’s recommendation, sources told CBS News that South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will tap her to fill the seat. The governor is scheduled to hold a news conference at 4 p.m. on Monday to reflect on Sen. Graham’s “life and service” and announce the appointment.
The interim senator would serve at least until January, when Graham’s current term expires.
Lindsey Graham, who never married and did not have children, had a close relationship with his sister. Their mother died in 1976, when Graham was 20 and she was 12. Less than two years later, their father died of a heart attack. Graham, then 22, adopted his then-13-year-old sister.
Graham’s counterpart in the upper chamber, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, said on “CBS Mornings” earlier Monday that Graham’s sister “would be a wonderful placeholder.”
The late senator had also been seeking reelection in November. A special election to determine Graham’s replacement on the ballot will be held on Aug. 11.