Senator Lindsey Graham Has Died. Sister Expected to Be Tapped to Fill Remainder of Term. Flash Special Primary Commences.
United States Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-Oconee) passed away on the night of Saturday, July 11, 2026, in the nation’s capital, two days after his 71st birthday. The medical examination that followed found that Graham died of an aortic tear resulting from heart disease.
According to reports, Graham had told an acquaintance over the phone that he was not feeling well and was experiencing chest pains. Shortly afterward, he passed away. Graham had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he was a frequent visitor.
Affable to those who knew him and oftentimes at odds with conservatives, Graham was only the second person to hold South Carolina’s Senate seat in the past 70 years and had served in office since 1992. Graham succeeded the late Sen. Strom Thurmond.
Shotgun special primary begins
While South Carolinians mourn and reflect on Graham’s life, a month-long special election process begins almost immediately. The special Republican primary will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 11, with a probable runoff on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Candidate filing will take place from Tuesday, July 21, through Tuesday, July 28.
Early voting will take place from August 5-7, and it is not open to any voters who participated in the June Democratic primary. The Republican nominee will face Annie Andrews (D-Charleston) in the special general election.
Governor picks Graham’s sister with Trump’s support; Trump urges Fry to run
Term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster (R-Richland) is expected to appoint Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to fill the vacancy. Graham Nordone, whom the senator helped raise after the deaths of their parents when they were young, has been featured prominently throughout Graham’s political career. She resides in Lexington and is not expected to seek the full term. Gov. McMaster has a press conference scheduled for 4:00 p.m. today.
US Rep. Russell Fry (R-Horry) is reportedly being urged by President Trump to run for the seat and, according to reports, could receive the president’s endorsement imminently.
The likely crowded Aug. 11 primary
The timing of the special primary is unique because it comes directly on the heels of the statewide primaries, where dozens of candidates fell short in their respective races. Many already have fully built campaign organizations in place. Additionally, with the rare opportunity of an open U.S. Senate seat, several other candidates are testing the waters.
Mark Lynch: The Upstate businessman and candidate in last month’s Senate primary has confirmed his candidacy. The conservative evangelical has a campaign team and political network that has been in place for more than a year. Lynch finished comfortably in second place in the June primary and has a strong base of support in the Upstate. He has also pledged to spend an additional $5 million of his personal wealth—a significant advantage in such a compressed campaign. Lynch also gained substantial name recognition after an estimated $30 million was spent on negative attacks against him during the primary.
US Rep. Ralph Norman: A conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus from York County, Norman finished third in the gubernatorial primary. Many believe his endorsement of Alan Wilson effectively ended any chance Pamela Evette had of winning the runoff. After campaigning as the most conservative candidate in the governor’s race, Norman has scheduled an announcement Tuesday regarding his intentions for the Senate race. He is expected to enter the contest and spend a considerable amount of his personal fortune, amassed through real estate and construction.
US Rep. Nancy Mace: Fresh off a fifth-place finish in the Republican gubernatorial primary, the Lowcountry congresswoman wasted little time signaling that she is likely to enter the race. Mace’s outspoken style and lack of a filter have earned her a loyal following while also wearing thin on many others. She often posts dozens of times a day on social media, and those tendencies have been on display since Graham’s death was announced Sunday, with several erratic posts on X. Mace previously challenged Graham in 2014 and finished fifth. She is widely expected to enter the race.
US Rep. Russell Fry: The Horry County congressman could draw support from multiple factions within the Republican Party. More establishment Republicans generally support Fry, while many conservatives appreciate him for defeating former Trump critic and impeachment supporter, former U.S. Rep. Tom Rice. If Fry receives President Trump’s endorsement, he would instantly become a top-tier candidate. Thus far, Fry has remained mum on his intentions.
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette: The second-term lieutenant governor is coming off a crushing loss to Attorney General Alan Wilson in the Republican gubernatorial runoff. Her best opportunity to compete for the Senate seat likely would have been through an appointment by Gov. McMaster, which did not happen. After receiving only 31% of the vote and losing 43 of the state’s 46 counties in the runoff, now may not be the most opportune time for Evette, though many believe she still has future political ambitions.
Former US Rep. Trey Gowdy: Many believed Spartanburg’s Gowdy entering the race was a long shot, but the attorney and Fox News host has reportedly been encouraged by his close friend, US Sen. Tim Scott, who also serves as chairman of the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm.
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: The billionaire has discussed the possibility with political insiders and would be an intriguing candidate, although his candidacy is considered unlikely.
Former Gov. and US Rep. Mark Sanford: Sources say Sanford is strongly considering a bid. Sanford does have the campaign funds and name recognition to at least make a run at making the runoff. The disgraced fmr. governor previously made a political comeback to congress but was defeated for renomination in 2018. He briefly entered last month’s first congressional district primary and dropped out."*
Patrick Herrmann: The small businessman has announced that he will run after finishing fourth in the June primary with just under 4% of the vote.
Thomas Keith Dismukes: Dismukes finished third in the June Senate primary with 6% of the vote. He has not indicated whether he intends to run again.
It is very likely that additional candidates will enter the race, while not everyone listed above will ultimately become a candidate. This is a rare opportunity to fill one of the nation’s most influential Senate seats with a constitutional conservative.
South Carolina, pay attention and choose wisely.
*This story has been updated to reflect early voting dates.
*This story has been updated to reflect Mark Sanford as a possible candidate.
