Darline Graham, Sister of Late Senator, Appointed to Fill His Senate Seat

Darline Graham, sister of the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, has stepped into the political arena by being appointed to serve out the remainder of her brother's term. Unlike her brother, who had a long political career, Graham has focused on vocational rehabilitation, aiding individuals with disabilities in overcoming employment barriers.

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She loved her brother. He raised her. Family is what defines her, but she's not her brother. That's what I've been telling people [in disability advocacy].

Despite her lack of elected office experience, those who have worked with her express confidence in her abilities. They describe the 62-year-old as a committed civil servant with extensive knowledge of disability-related issues, who prefers to work behind the scenes. Advocates believe she will bring this valuable experience to Capitol Hill.

Kimberly Tissot, president of Able South Carolina, noted that while family is important to Graham, she is her own person and a capable leader. Tissot clarified that Graham is not necessarily a liberal or a staunch disability rights activist, but rather someone dedicated to the bipartisan issue of employment for people with disabilities. Graham was instrumental in the process of unwinding the state's subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities, serving on key committees after a unanimous state Senate vote and near-unanimous state House vote passed the law in 2022.

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She is a leader, but she's not the kind of leader to ever brag about what she's done.

Former Republican state Sen. Katrina Shealy, a friend of Graham's and a supporter of disability rights legislation, was a main proponent of the bill. Graham's appointment comes as former President Donald Trump has urged her to run for a full Senate term.

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But if you know Darline, she's always in the back. For as long as I've known her, she just never wanted that recognition.