Here’s What’s Next for the Senate After Sudden Passing of Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died from heart failure this past weekend, forcing Republicans to scramble to find another candidate to take his place on the ballot.

While South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve as interim senator, the late senator was up for reelection in 2026. His sudden death on July 11 will require South Carolina Republicans to hold a snap primary election, and the shortlist to replace Graham is a who’s who of South Carolina politics.

When a party nominee selected by a primary election dies, the filing period for a new candidate opens the second Tuesday after the death of the candidate and closes the Tuesday after that, according to Section 7-11-55 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

The South Carolina Election Commission released a statement July 13 stating that candidate filing will be open from July 21 until July 28, as dictated by the state code. A statewide special primary will then take place on Aug. 11. 

A potential contender is Mark Lynch, who came in second in the South Carolina Republican primary with 28.9% of the vote. Lynch announced on X on July 13 that he is jumping back into the race, saying, “The Fight Continues!”

Another possible candidate is South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, but when CBS News asked Evette in an interview if she was considering running, she declined to answer.

“I was really a little bit saddened yesterday that so many people, instead of talking about the amazing work of the senator, we’re talking about who is going to be next to follow,” Evette said. 

Evette said she wants the country to honor Graham’s legacy rather than discuss her as a potential replacement for him.

“I want to focus on the senator right now, and sending love and prayers to his sister, who is a wonderful person and was so close to her brother.”

Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina have both been mentioned as possible candidates, although neither one has released an official announcement that they are running.

Meanwhile, former South Carolina Gov. and presidential candidate Nikki Haley has shot down speculation she might throw her hat into the ring. A Haley spokesperson told CBS News, “While she has been blessed to serve her state and country and Governor, UN Ambassador, and as a candidate for President, she has no plans to run for office at this time.”

Graham Nordone herself is not running for a full term and will only fill the vacancy for the next five months until an elected senator is sworn into office Jan. 3. 

According to the 17th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, state legislatures may authorize the governor to appoint a temporary replacement for a Senate vacancy, and South Carolina law is one of the states that automatically allows the governor to name an interim senator. 

McMaster quickly made Nordone his pick, and while she settles into her newly appointed position, the candidates who do join the race will kickstart a brief campaign for the 2026 election.

If none of the GOP candidates wins a majority of the vote in the Aug. 11 primary, a run-off election will be held two weeks later on August 25.

The winner will face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the general election.