South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster's appointed interim senator Darline Graham is taking steps to permanently take her brother's place in the U.S. Senate. Three sources speaking to the Associated Press (AP) said Graham has begun discussions about launching a campaign for a full term.
Darline Graham was sworn in earlier this week, becoming the first woman senator elected from South Carolina and the first sister appointed to the Senate. At the appointment ceremony, she expressed her emotions, saying, "Lindsey was always by my side, now I will be by his."
The special election process is moving quickly. Candidate applications will be accepted between July 21-28, and the primary will be held on August 11. According to the AP, a number of prominent Republicans, including House members Russell Fry, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, are considering entering the race.
Amid these political developments, memorial services have been planned for Lindsey Graham, who died last week at age 71. According to a statement from Graham's communications director, the senator's "life and legacy" will be honored with services on Tuesday, July 28 in Washington, D.C., and on Wednesday, July 29 in Columbia and Pickens County, South Carolina.
A statement from Lindsey Graham's office on Sunday said that, according to preliminary findings from the District of Columbia Chief Medical Examiner, the cause of death was an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
