Would this be a lovely gesture? Of course it would, as Lindsey Graham spent his life supporting and protecting his younger sister. Appointing Darline Graham Nordone to fill out the rest of the late statesman's term in the US Senate may solve a couple of other problems facing South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, too.
Initially, many names immediately emerged as replacements for Graham, including Trey Gowdy, Nikki Haley, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Nancy Mace, and others. Many if not most of those were also being mentioned as successors in the upcoming special primary to replace Graham on the November ballot, which would put a big thumb on those scales. McMaster said yesterday that he would be inclined to appoint a caretaker to fill out the rest of the term instead, although he still has yet to make his choice known.
Trump offered his suggestion late this morning:
McMaster indicated that he would announce his choice late in the afternoon today. ABC News tried to ask McMaster about Trump's suggestion, but didn't get an immediate answer:
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced around the same time as Trump's post that he will be making an announcement about who he is appointing to the Senate seat at 4 p.m. on Monday.
ABC News has reached out to McMaster's office about Trump's push for Nordone to be Graham's replacement. ABC News has already reached out to Nordone for comment.
Looks like Trump's choice had an impact. CBS News now reports that McMaster will appoint Darline to fill out the term:
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is set to appoint the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's sister Darline Graham Nordone to finish his Senate term, which ends in January, sources familiar with the decision tell CBS News.
McMaster is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. to announce his appointment for the vacant seat left by Graham's death. The replacement will be able to serve until at least Jan. 3, when a new Congress convenes.
President Trump, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and others have voiced their support for Nordone. Graham took legal guardianship of his sister when he was 22 and she was 13, after both of their parents died within 15 months of each other.
Trump's nomination did have an impact on Sen. Tim Scott, Graham's partner in the upper chamber. Scott initially endorsed Trey Gowdy for the appointment:
Sen. Tim Scott on Sunday threw his support behind former Rep. Trey Gowdy to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the sudden death of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Scott, who appeared on Gowdy’s Fox News show Sunday night, has already made a round of calls pitching the former prosecutor as a possible short-term pick to serve out the remaining months of Graham’s term, which expires at the end of this year. Scott and Gowdy have long had a close relationship, beginning when the two were first elected to Congress in 2010, and authored a book together that was published in 2018.
After Trump's post on Truth Social, Scott switched his position:
Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, would be a fantastic pick to serve out the remainder of the senate term.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) July 13, 2026
After speaking with Darline, there is no one better who understands Lindsey’s love for family, our state, and our country. https://t.co/7XSt7AQPlS
John Thune quickly followed suit:
Both Trump and now Thune back Darline getting the appointment to fill out her late brother’s term.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 13, 2026
Thune just told @DanaBashCNN that it “makes a lot of sense” to appoint Darline
Clearly, momentum gathered immediately for Trump's idea, and for good reason. Graham was an admired and even beloved member of Congress for decades. Appointing his sister Darline to serve in his stead is a way to honor his service and carry on his traditions to the full end of his watch, a fitting tribute to Graham's lifelong service to his country. Darline will be the most reliable choice for ensuring that the rest of this term reflects Graham's priorities and choices, as opposed to those who would want to make the next six months their own.
It also solves conundrums for McMaster, and he apparently realizes it. By picking a non-political figure, McMaster keeps his fingerprints off the upcoming special primary. Darline's appointment also does not disrupt a current officeholder's position; appointing Evette may have required a replacement appointment for her office, and choosing a sitting member of Congress would have cut into a razor-thin GOP majority. Undoubtedly, people in South Carolina political circles began pressuring McMaster to do them favors with the appointment, but selecting Darline as the choice of honor negates all of that political infighting and allows the status quo ante to prevail.
It's so smart, in fact, that it's a wonder it worked. Reportedly, anyway. We'll know for certain at 4 pm ET.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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