Lindsey Graham died on the evening of July 11 at age 71, leaving South Carolina without a senator just months before the midterm elections. The Republican, who served in the Senate for more than two decades, suffered what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness,” and his death immediately raised questions about his replacement, how the vacancy will be filled, and what it means for the November ballot.
Find out what we know about who will fill his Senate seat here.
How Did Lindsey Graham Die?
Graham’s office announced his death on the morning of July 12 and did not release a cause. Emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington, D.C. address around 8:30 p.m., according to CNN. He had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and he was scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press the following morning.
Senator Lindsey Graham was scheduled to appear on @MeetThePress this morning.
It would have been his 64th appearance on this broadcast.
We are sending our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues.
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu… pic.twitter.com/mToCrIyquX
— Kristen Welker (@kwelkernbc) July 12, 2026
Donald Trump paid tribute on Truth Social, writing that Graham ranked among the greatest people and lawmakers he had ever known.
“He was always working, and was a true American Patriot,” the president added.
Who Will Replace Lindsey Graham in the Senate?
Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint an interim senator, and that appointee will serve until Jan. 3, 2027, according to CBS News. McMaster has not named a successor, though he honored his longtime ally with a tribute of his own.
“The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America,” the governor said of Graham.
The race was already on the fall calendar. Graham won his primary in June and was campaigning for a fifth term against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician from Charleston. State Republicans must now choose a new nominee, and a special primary is expected by Aug. 11 under South Carolina election law, per NBC News. The GOP currently holds a 53-47 majority in the chamber.
When Will Lindsey Graham’s Replacement Be Announced?
There is no timeline yet. McMaster has not indicated when he will reveal his pick, though the party’s narrow margin puts pressure on him to move quickly. Whoever wins the general election in November will be sworn in for a full six-year term in January.
