Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71, opening South Carolina seat
What’s next: Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement, and a special primary will pick a nominee for November.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday night after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. He was 71. Graham, a Republican who served in Congress for three decades, was one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill and a leading voice on foreign policy, including Ukraine, Iran and Russia sanctions. Trump ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff until Saturday evening. Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster will name an interim senator, while a special primary must be held within weeks to choose a nominee. The winner of November’s general election will begin a full six-year Senate term in January.