The sudden death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina sent shockwaves through Washington on Saturday. The 71-year-old’s passing from a sudden illness prompted an outpouring of tributes from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.
But behind the mourning, a high-stakes political scramble has already begun. Under South Carolina state law, Governor Henry McMaster has the authority to appoint a temporary replacement to fill Graham’s now-vacant seat. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Graham had already won the GOP primary last month and was set to run for re-election — meaning there is now a vacancy not just in the seat itself, but in the Republican nomination.
State law mandates a special primary for voters to select a new nominee within weeks of such a vacancy. The general election winner will take office in January for a full six-year term. President Trump is reportedly mulling a replacement but has said it is “too soon” to reveal his preferred candidate.
