Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was appointed to the vacant seat in the US Senate with the support of President Donald Trump. The appointment, made by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, aims to secure the party's 53-seat majority in the Senate.
Nordone will complete her brother's remaining term and serve until January. Having never held political office before, Nordone previously chaired the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
President Trump said on his Truth Social platform, "I recommended to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster that he appoint Lindsey Graham's wonderful sister Darline as interim senator. This would be a magnificent tribute to Lindsey."
Upon taking office, Nordone said in a statement, "I promise to work hard over the next few months to support the president and continue my brother's work on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States." Nordone did not say whether she would run in the election for a full term.
The Republican Party will hold a primary next month for Graham's seat. Graham had won his party's nomination earlier this year. The Republican nominee will face Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews.
In announcing the appointment, Governor McMaster described Graham as "irresistible" and "irreplaceable," and said, "Lindsey took care of his little sister years ago. Now it is my honor to ask his little sister Darline Graham to finish his work."
Lindsey Graham, who died at 71, had no spouse or children. Nordone was a teenager when she lost her parents, and her older brother Graham raised her.
