Darline Graham sworn in as South Carolina's first female senator

Darline Graham sworn in as South Carolina's first female senator

Darline Graham took the oath of office Tuesday, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. She was sworn in by Senator Chuck Grassley, the most senior Republican senator, in a ceremony held in the old Senate chamber. Graham was escorted by Republicans Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and Senator Katie Britt of Alabama.

Her appointment comes three days after the unexpected death of her older brother, four-term Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday night at age 71. Preliminary findings from the D.C. Medical examiner attributed the death to an aortic dissection caused by cardiovascular disease.

Governor Henry McMaster announced Graham's appointment Monday, stating he had spoken with her in the wee hours of Sunday morning following the senator's death. President Donald Trump recommended her for the position, describing the move as a fabulous tribute to the late senator.

"Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him,"

Darline Graham, Senator, via press conference

The appointment establishes several historical precedents. In addition to being the first woman to serve in the Senate from South Carolina, Graham is the first sister to succeed a sibling in the upper chamber and the first sibling to directly succeed a deceased senator.

The bond between the siblings was lifelong. Lindsey Graham became Darline's legal guardian when he was 22 and she was 13, following the deaths of their parents in less than two years. She frequently supported her brother's political career, appearing in campaign ads and on the campaign trail. In 2015, Lindsey Graham told C-SPAN that his sister's success was the highlight of his life by far.

Graham enters the Senate with experience in state government but no previous elected office. She has served as a commissioner on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019 and is the president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. Her professional history includes roles at the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, and Clemson University. She holds a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and a bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston.

Immediately following her swearing-in, Senator Graham cast her first vote to advance a $1.15tn annual defense authorization bill, which failed in a 50-46 vote. She is expected to serve as a caretaker for the seat until January 3, when the current term expires.

Her arrival comes amid a leadership void left by her brother, who chaired the Budget Committee and was second in line on the Judiciary Committee. He also held senior positions on the Appropriations and Environment and Public Works panels. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated the conference is working through how to replace him on these committees and will determine which assignments Graham wants to maintain.

The transition occurs while Republicans face a voting shortage. Former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky remains in a rehabilitation center recovering from a June 14 fall, leaving the GOP with one less vote during critical legislative weeks before the August recess.

While Darline Graham fills the interim vacancy, a battle for the full term has begun. Because Lindsey Graham was seeking a fifth term, a special election must be held to pick a new Republican nominee. Under South Carolina law, the filing period for the special primary begins July 21, with the primary scheduled for Aug. 11. A potential runoff would follow on Aug. 25.

Potential Republican contenders include:

• Rep. Nancy Mace
• Rep. Ralph Norman
• Rep. Russell Fry
• Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette

The GOP nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election on Nov. 3. Federal law may complicate this timeline, as it requires military and overseas ballots to be sent 45 days before a federal election, which would have been June 27 for the special primary.