Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, sworn in to serve remainder of his Senate term
Darline Graham Sworn In as Lindsey Graham’s Sister to Fill Senate Seat
Darline Graham Lindsey Graham s sister – Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, was formally sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday to complete her brother’s remaining term. The 62-year-old was selected by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster following Lindsey Graham’s unexpected passing over the weekend. She will serve until January 2027, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.
A Personal Journey to Public Service
Though Darline Graham has never held elected office before, her commitment to serving South Carolina’s residents is well-established. She has worked as a commissioner for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and dedicated much of her career to supporting people with disabilities. Her life was marked by tragedy when she lost both parents within fifteen months of each other, becoming an orphan at thirteen in 1976. Her brother Lindsey, already involved in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and the first family member to attend college, became her guardian.
The siblings maintained an exceptionally close relationship throughout their lives. Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, recalled in a 2015 CNN interview with Dana Bash that her brother had cared for her even while their parents lived. Their parents ran a small business with demanding schedules, so Lindsey often assumed the caregiver role from an early age.
Senate Ceremony and Attendees
The Senate chamber was filled with colleagues honoring the late senator. Nearly all Republican seats were occupied, with many Democrats also present. Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff attended from the galleries, having worked with Lindsey Graham on foreign policy issues. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, both political allies, joined senators on the floor.
South Carolina’s congressional delegation was well represented, with Republicans Ralph Norman and Joe Wilson alongside Democrat Jim Clyburn. Before the ceremony, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer spoke with Darline Graham. Republican senators Katie Britt and Tim Scott then escorted her to the dais, where Senator Chuck Grassley administered the oath of office.
Emotions were evident throughout the proceedings. Darline’s family sat visibly moved in the gallery, and Senator Joni Ernst was seen holding tissues. After the oath, the chamber gave a standing ovation. Britt and Scott led Graham to her brother’s desk, where Scott placed the Bible she used during the ceremony and rested his hand on it briefly.
What Comes Next
A special primary election will be held on August 11 to determine who appears on the November ballot for the full six-year term. After the formal events, senators gathered to introduce themselves, forming two lines as Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, moved between them greeting colleagues. Even as the Senate began voting on the annual defense policy package, senators continued to speak with her.
“Hanging in there, appreciate you being here,” Graham told CNN as she departed the Senate floor following her official swearing in.
Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican and ally of President Donald Trump, died at age 71 from an aortic dissection according to preliminary Washington, DC, medical examiner findings. This appointment follows a historical pattern of governors selecting family members for vacant Senate seats. Notable precedents include Muriel Humphrey succeeding her husband Hubert, Hattie Caraway filling her husband’s 1931 seat before becoming the first independently elected woman senator in 1932, Lincoln Chafee appointed to his father’s Rhode Island seat, and Lisa Murkowski chosen by her father for Alaska’s Senate seat in 2002.
This report has been updated with additional details. CNN’s Eric Bradner contributed to this coverage.
