Darline Graham, the sister of the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, was sworn in Tuesday afternoon in the U.S. Senate to take her brother's seat, who passed away suddenly three days ago due to a tear in the aorta artery.
Graham was appointed on Monday by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill the seat for the remaining months of her brother's term after receiving the blessing of President Donald Trump. The newly appointed legislator previously worked as an optician and in various state agencies, including the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and the Department of Employment and Workforce.
During the swearing-in, Darline expressed that she misses her brother "more than I can express in words" and stated that she is ready to preserve his legacy and continue his service to South Carolina. The siblings had a very close bond, with Lindsey taking on the responsibility of raising Darline and becoming her legal guardian after their parents' death when he was 22 and she was only 13.
Graham was one of Trump's biggest allies in the Senate
Preparations begin to choose Graham's permanent replacement
The laws of South Carolina dictate that next month a special primary election must be held to choose the new Republican candidate for the general election for the Senate seat in November. Graham had already won this internal election a few weeks ago and was on track to secure his fifth consecutive term in Congress.
The registration period for the special internal election will begin on next Tuesday, July 21 (the second Tuesday after the candidate's death), with voting taking place on August 11. And if a runoff is necessary, it would be held two weeks later, on August 25.
From there, the selected candidate will have just over two months to campaign and win in November. Republican figures such as the state's lieutenant governor, Pamela Evette, and representatives Russell Fry, Nancy Mace, and Ralph Norman are expected to begin campaigning shortly.
Images of Darline Graham's swearing-in to take her brother's seat.
