Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, will be sworn in to his Senate seat on Tuesday afternoon, according to sources. The ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. following Governor Henry McMaster's appointment of Nordone to serve in Graham's place for the remainder of the year. Lindsey Graham passed away at the age of 71 on Saturday after returning from a trip to Ukraine.
Nordone will attend a Senate Republican lunch before taking her oath. During the announcement of her appointment, she expressed her commitment to being a good steward of her brother's legacy, stating, "It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work...".
Graham's death has led to a call from a bipartisan group of senators for the passage of a Russia sanctions bill as a tribute to his work on foreign policy. The swiftness of Nordone's swearing-in highlights Senate Republicans' desire to maintain their majority, especially as Senator Mitch McConnell has been absent due to health issues. Nordone's appointment is distinct from a special primary election scheduled for August 11 to select a Republican nominee for a full six-year term.