South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is poised to appoint Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, to complete his current term in the U.S. Senate. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed the decision ahead of a scheduled 4 p.m. press conference where the governor is expected to make the official announcement.
The appointment serves to fill the vacancy created following the death of Senator Graham, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 71. Preliminary findings from a medical examiner indicate that the senator died from an aortic dissection, a condition involving a tear in the main artery leading from the heart. The interim appointee will serve until at least January 3, when the new Congress is set to convene.
The relationship between the late senator and his sister was deeply rooted in their personal history; Graham took legal guardianship of Nordone when he was 22 and she was 13, following the deaths of both their parents within a 15-month period. Over the years, Nordone has remained a consistent presence at her brother's official and political engagements.
Senator Scott, who has been in communication with Nordone over the last 24 hours, is expected to attend the announcement later today. The incoming interim senator is slated to be sworn in on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the political process to find a permanent successor continues, as a special Republican primary election is scheduled for August 11 to determine who will replace Graham on the ballot for the upcoming election. The winner of the November contest will secure a full six-year term in the Senate.
President Trump, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and others have voiced their support for Nordone. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN that selecting Graham's sister "makes a lot of sense."
On Monday morning, Mr. Trump threw his endorsement behind Graham's younger sister to serve the rest of his term.