Special primary set to replace GOP U.S. Senate nominee after Graham's death

South Carolina election officials have announced the timeline for selecting a new Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate following the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The South Carolina State Election Commission announced Monday that a special filing period and special primary election will be held under state law to replace Graham as the Republican nominee on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

The announcement came the same day Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham, the late senator's sister, to serve the remainder of his term until the next Congress convenes Jan. 3, 2027.

Under South Carolina law, the governor is authorized to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy by appointment until a successor is elected. Because Lindsey Graham had already secured the Republican nomination for the 2026 election before his death, state law also requires the Republican Party to select a replacement nominee through a special primary process.

Candidate filing for the Republican nomination will open at noon Tuesday, July 21, and close at noon Tuesday, July 28.

If more than one candidate files, a special primary will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The Republican nominee selected through the special primary will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Election officials also announced the following deadlines:

• July 31: Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot for the special primary.
• Aug. 5-7: Early voting for the special primary from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aug. 11: Special Republican primary.
• Aug. 19-21: Early voting for a potential runoff from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Aug. 25: Special primary runoff, if necessary.

"South Carolina law establishes a clear process for filling a vacancy in a party nomination," State Election Commission Executive Director Conway Belangia said in a statement. "Election officials are prepared to administer that process and will continue working with county election officials to provide voters with timely information throughout each step."

McMaster appointed Darline Graham, a Central native who has served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019, to fill the Senate vacancy.

"Lindsey Graham recognized the greatness of America, the seriousness of his work, and also the value of human and lighthearted spirit," McMaster said. "Today, under the law, it is my duty and honor to name someone to serve in the place of this extraordinary man for the remainder of his term. It is my honor to ask his little sister, Darline, to finish his work."

Darline Graham, who has nearly 30 years of public service experience with state agencies and Clemson University, said she plans to continue her brother's work during the remainder of the term.

"It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard every day over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States," she said.

Lindsey Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate from 2003 until his death in 2026. Before his election to the Senate, he served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives after serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Editor's note: Gov. Henry McMaster's office identified the appointee throughout its official press release as "Darline Graham." Public records identify her full name as Darline Graham Nordone. The Manning Times has used the name provided in the governor's official announcement in this story.