Trump urges SC governor to name Graham's sister as interim senator

President Donald Trump has recommended that South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appoint Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, as his temporary replacement in the U.S. Senate. Senator Graham passed away over the weekend at the age of 71.

Trump announced his recommendation on social media, suggesting Nordone should serve the remainder of Graham's term, which concludes in January. Governor McMaster is anticipated to reveal his choice for the interim senator later on Monday. Senator Tim Scott is expected to attend McMaster's announcement. Graham, who was very close to his sister and acted as her legal guardian after their parents' deaths, had her by his side when he filed for reelection earlier this year.

A special election will be held next month to select a new Republican nominee for Graham's seat in the general election. This rare open Senate seat has sparked competition among ambitious conservatives in South Carolina. The state's Republican party recently concluded a strenuous contest to determine the nominee for governor, a position McMaster is concluding his second term in.

According to South Carolina law, the filing period for a special primary election begins on the second Tuesday after a candidate's death, with the election itself scheduled for the second Tuesday after the filing period closes. Any necessary runoff would follow two weeks later. This timeline presents challenges for federal law, which mandates that military and overseas ballots be sent out 45 days before a federal election. A preliminary medical examiner's report indicated that Senator Graham likely died from an aorta tear.

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Gov. Henry McMaster should appoint Darline Graham Nordone to fulfill the rest of Graham's term, which expires in January.