Darline Graham is sworn in as senator to fill her brother Lindsey Graham’s seat

Key Points:

• Darline Graham was sworn in as U.S. Senator from South Carolina on Tuesday, filling the seat of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly three days earlier.
• Appointed by Governor Henry McMaster, she will complete Lindsey Graham’s term until early January and is expected to be a reliable Republican vote despite no prior political experience.
• This marks the first time a sibling has been appointed to replace a deceased senator, and Darline Graham will use her maiden name in the Senate despite her legal married name being Nordone.
• South Carolina Republicans plan a special primary to select a nominee for the full six-year term, with several GOP candidates expressing interest; it is unclear if Darline Graham will run.
• President Donald Trump and Sen. Tim Scott publicly supported her appointment, highlighting her close personal and familial ties to Lindsey Graham, who legally adopted her after their parents’ deaths.