Darline Graham, sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, will be sworn in to fill her brother's term

WASHINGTON - South Carolina Gov. [Fox 7 Austin]

Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday afternoon, becoming South Carolina's first female senator just two days after her brother's unexpected death on Saturday. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her Monday to complete the remainder of Graham's current term, which expires in January 2025.

Graham, 71, died from complications related to a torn aorta, according to a preliminary medical examiner's report. As one of President Donald Trump's most prominent Senate allies, Graham had chaired the Senate Budget Committee and was positioned to lead the Senate Judiciary Committee in the incoming Congress. His sudden passing left the seat vacant with only months remaining in his term.

Nordone, 62, has never held elected office but brings decades of professional experience in public service and healthcare. She previously worked as an optician and held positions with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and the Department of Employment and Workforce. Her career focused on assisting people with disabilities in securing employment. The two siblings shared an exceptionally close bond dating to their youth—Graham became her legal guardian at age 22 when she was 13, following the deaths of both their parents within a 15-month span.

"Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him," Nordone said Monday upon learning of her appointment. "It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work." McMaster said the appointment discussion occurred in the early morning hours following Graham's death, and he commended her swift acceptance of the responsibility. Trump endorsed the selection on his Truth Social platform, calling Nordone "wonderful" and describing the appointment as "a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly."

Throughout Graham's political career, Nordone remained a visible presence at his side, regularly attending campaign events and appearing in election materials alongside her children and grandchildren. Graham spoke proudly of her accomplishments to national media, telling C-SPAN in 2015 that "her turning out so well is the highlight of it by far" among all his life achievements. When asked hypothetically about a presidential first lady, Graham quipped that his sister could fulfill the role.

The appointment comes ahead of a special Republican primary scheduled for August to select the party's nominee for the general election. The winning candidate will compete in November for a full six-year Senate term. Nordone will serve through January 3, 2025, when the new Congress is sworn in.