The sudden death of US Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina sets up a succession drama in the deeply conservative state that risks throwing the race into chaos less than four months before the midterm elections.
Graham died Saturday after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said, two days after his 71st birthday. He had been set to face off against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in November.
South Carolina Republican Governor Henry McMaster can name a replacement for the remainder of Graham’s term. State election law then calls for a special primary election, creating an intra-party scramble that could help give Andrews an edge. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had a candidate in mind to take over the seat but would not publicly name them because it was “just too soon” after Graham’s death.
“I don’t want to even talk about anybody. But I do have somebody that I think is really good,” Trump said on NBC’s Meet The Press. Trump endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in her failed bid for the Republican nomination for governor but it is not known if she is interested in the seat.
While Andrews is considered a long shot in the safely Republican state, the Democrat is running in an election year that favors outsiders who can communicate effectively on issues like affordability. Graham, a close ally of Trump, had supported the Iran war, which has driven up gasoline prices and was widely unpopular with voters.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win the Senate majority. On Sunday, however, Andrews called for “setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude” for Graham’s service to the state.
Graham’s death, combined with the prolonged hospitalization of Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, narrows the GOP’s majority, at least in the short term.
Representative Joe Wilson, the state’s senior House member, ruled himself out of the running to replace Graham, posting on social media that he had spoken with Trump Sunday and “assured” the president that his “goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority.” A person familiar with Wilson’s thinking had told Bloomberg that Wilson was interested in filling the seat.
Alan Wilson, the congressman’s son, won the state Republican gubernatorial primary last month, making him the likely winner in a state that last elected a Democratic governor in 1998. Among the candidates Wilson defeated were Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, both of whom could also vie for the Senate seat. Their offices did not respond to requests for comment.
Other political notables from the Palmetto State who may theoretically surface for a rare chance at a Senate seat include former four-term Representative Trey Gowdy, and former Governor Nikki Haley, who also served as US ambassador to the United Nations in Trump’s first term and ran against him for the 2024 GOP nomination.
The unexpected passing of US Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent figure in South Carolina politics, has triggered a complicated succession process in a state known for its strong conservative leanings, just months ahead of the midterm elections. Graham died on Saturday from a brief illness, shortly after celebrating his 71st birthday, leaving behind a significant vacancy as he was set to face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in a highly anticipated race in November.
Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, is tasked with appointing a temporary replacement for Graham to serve the remainder of his term. Following this appointment, South Carolina law mandates a special primary election, which could lead to increased competition within the Republican Party. This intra-party rivalry may inadvertently provide an advantage to Democrat Andrews, who, while considered a long shot in such a reliably Republican state, could benefit from the turmoil. The current election cycle seems to favor outsiders, particularly those capable of addressing pressing issues like affordability, which resonate with voters.
Former President Donald Trump expressed that he has a candidate in mind to fill Graham’s seat but refrained from disclosing the name, indicating it was too early to discuss potential successors. Trump had previously endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in her unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for governor, but her interest in the Senate seat remains uncertain.
In the wake of Graham’s death, Andrews called for a moment of unity and gratitude for his service, emphasizing the need to set aside partisanship. Her campaign will likely focus on connecting with voters on issues that matter to them, leveraging the current political climate to her advantage.
Graham’s passing, coupled with the ongoing hospitalization of Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, further complicates the Republican Party’s majority in the Senate. The GOP’s current position is precarious, and the loss of a seat could have significant implications for their control.
While some notable political figures have already ruled themselves out of the race, such as Representative Joe Wilson, who has decided to remain in the House to maintain a critical two-vote majority, the field remains wide open. Wilson initially expressed interest but later confirmed his priorities lie with his current position in the House.
The recent Republican gubernatorial primary saw Alan Wilson, Joe Wilson’s son, emerge as a likely winner in a state that has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998. This victory may influence other candidates’ decisions to enter the Senate race.
Potential candidates who could step forward include Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, both of whom have the political experience and name recognition needed for a Senate campaign. Their responses to inquiries about their interest in the Senate seat remain uncommunicated, leaving the door open for speculation.
Other significant figures from South Carolina’s political landscape, such as former Representative Trey Gowdy and former Governor Nikki Haley, may also consider entering the race. Haley, who served as the US ambassador to the United Nations during Trump’s administration, has her own political ambitions, having run against Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination.
As the political scene in South Carolina continues to evolve, the implications of Graham’s death extend beyond immediate succession. The upcoming special election will be pivotal, not only for the state but also for the broader dynamics within the Senate and the Republican Party as they navigate the challenges of maintaining their majority in a changing political landscape. The interplay of candidates, party loyalty, and voter sentiment will play a critical role in shaping the outcome of this unexpected political drama.
