U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican from South Carolina known for his evolution from a vocal critic to a staunch ally of Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71. His office announced his passing on Sunday, citing a "brief and sudden illness." Emergency services reportedly responded to a cardiac arrest call at his Capitol Hill residence on Saturday evening.
Graham's death, occurring less than four months before the November midterm elections, removes a dependable vote for President Trump in the closely divided Senate, where the president aims to advance his legislative agenda. "He's a tough one to lose," Trump commented on NBC's "Meet the Press," describing Graham as "great" and "unique in every way." The contest to fill Graham's seat is unlikely to alter the broader battle for Senate control between Republicans and Democrats, given South Carolina's reliably Republican leaning.
Under state law, South Carolina's Republican Governor, Henry McMaster, is empowered to appoint a temporary successor. Subsequently, the state's Republican party must conduct an expedited primary election to select a nominee for the November general election. This nominee is not necessarily required to be the same individual appointed by Governor McMaster.
A respected figure in foreign policy, Senator Graham was a fervent supporter of Israel and Ukraine, and an outspoken opponent of Iran. His recent activities included a visit to Kyiv on Friday, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They discussed Ukraine's air defense needs and sanctions against Russia. Graham emphasized China's potential to influence the resolution of the war in Ukraine, stating that the path to peace "passes through Beijing more than it does (through) Washington, Kyiv or Moscow." President Zelenskyy noted that Graham had visited Ukraine ten times since the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Graham's political career began with a sharp critique of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. He famously posted on social media that nominating Trump would lead to Republican defeat and publicly labeled him a "race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot." However, their relationship transformed after Trump's presidency, with Graham becoming a frequent golf partner and a key defender of the former president. Despite their later closeness, Graham publicly expressed disagreement with Trump's decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol attack.
Graham, a former Air Force lawyer and member of the South Carolina Air National Guard, was first elected to the Senate in 2002, following his tenure in the House of Representatives beginning in 1994. He served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and held positions on the Committees on Appropriations, the Judiciary Committee, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works. His passing was met with tributes from international leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called Graham "one of Israel's greatest friends."
