Sen. Lindsey Graham, the longtime Republican from South Carolina who was a staunch ally of President Trump and appeared to be cruising to a fifth term, died suddenly late Saturday, his congressional aides announced.
Mr. Graham, 71, had just returned from a trip to Ukraine and was back at his home in Washington ahead of a planned appearance on a Sunday talk show and the Senate’s return to business this week.
In an announcement made on his official X account, aides said Mr. Graham “passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” and that his family “appreciates prayers at this time and asked for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
In audio obtained from NBC News, a dispatcher can be heard directing emergency workers to respond to a “cardiac arrest” incident at his home.
His death sets off a scramble to fill his Senate seat. Mr. Graham easily won the Republican primary in June, beating his nearest opponent, Mark Lynch, by 28 points.
Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, will appoint a replacement to fill the remaining five months of Mr. Graham’s fourth term.
SEE ALSO: Tributes flood in after sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham
The state will have to hold another primary, presumably next month, to pick a Republican to appear on the November ballot. Candidates would have to file for the seat almost immediately. A list of hopefuls was already emerging on Sunday, among them Rep. Nancy Mace, who recently lost her bid to win the GOP’s gubernatorial primary.
Mr. Trump, appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, said he was already eyeing a replacement for Mr. Graham on the ballot, but he did not identify his pick.
“I have somebody I like,” he said. “I’m not going to tell you who now because it’s too soon.”
The seat had been considered solidly Republican, meaning Mr. Graham was expected to easily win reelection in the deep red state.
In this photo provided by the …
more >
Mr. Graham died after a multi-day trip to Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited a drone facility that was producing new weapons in its years-long battle to stop invading Russia.
Mr. Graham has long advocated for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia. He said “it would be a big mistake” if the U.S. did not help Ukraine’s drone program, Ukrainian media reported.
On Friday, Mr. Graham elatedly announced in Kyiv that he had reached an agreement with the White House on a bill to sanction Russia that he had long sought to pass.
“America and the world have lost a determined leader,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote.
Mr. Graham was often criticized by the anti-war wing of his party and by the left for his calls for expanding U.S. involvement in Ukraine and overseas conflicts.
His office announced his death in the middle of the night. Mr. Trump posted a statement around 3 a.m. Sunday.
The two had a years-long friendship, and Mr. Graham said he would speak to Mr. Trump nearly every day.
“Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!”
Mr. Graham’s sudden death could complicate the Senate GOP’s efforts to pass legislation in the remaining months of the 119th Congress. The vacancy leaves the GOP with just 51 votes. Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, has not returned to the Senate since being hospitalized in June. Mr. Graham was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee at the time of his death.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Mr. Graham, noting his decades of service in the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve and the South Carolina Air National Guard.
“He was a trusted adviser and colleague to me and many others, and numerous presidents and heads of state have relied on his counsel. His influence on the federal judiciary, our national defense, and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations,” Mr. Thune said.