Lindsey Graham’s sister to finish his Senate term

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South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has appointed Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), to fill the remainder of her brother’s term in the Senate on Monday following the GOP senator’s sudden death over the weekend.

Nordone is expected to only serve the rest of Graham’s current term through January. A separate special GOP primary will take place in August for the full six-year term.

“Today, under the law, it’s my duty to — and honor — to name someone to serve in the place of this irresistible man, this irreplaceable man, this extraordinary man for the remainder of his term,” McMaster said at his announcement. “Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. It’s my honor to ask his little sister, Darline Graham, to finish his work for him now.”

Nordone thanked McMaster for the appointment, calling it “an honor.”

“Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him,” she said.

President Trump threw his support behind Nordone earlier Monday, stating her appointment would be a “fabulous tribute” to her brother.

Nordone, Graham’s only sibling, had a close relationship with her brother, including introducing Graham during his presidential kickoff announcement in 2015.

In past speeches and interviews, the two — who grew up in a room behind their parents’ pool hall, bar and restaurant called the Sanitary Cafe — have each spoken about how Graham took care of his sister when their mother died of Hodgkin lymphoma; Graham was in his early 20s at that point while Nordone was 11 years old.

Fifteen months later they would be orphans after their father died.

“I can remember the day my father passed away, standing in the living room of that house, absolutely scared to death,” Nordone said in June 2015, opening for Graham’s presidential announcement event. “And Lindsey wrapped his arms around me and promised me that he would always be there for me and always take care of me, and I can assure you, he’s done that.”

“He always made me feel so loved and so secure. Lindsey also made sure I finished high school, went to college,” she added. “He even legally adopted me.”

More recently, Nordone was even featured in one of Graham’s campaign ads as the late senator sought reelection.

“Of all the things that have happened in my life, her turning out so well is the highlight of it,” Graham said in a 2015 interview with C-SPAN.

Asked what kind of role he could envision Nordone playing in the White House noting that Graham would be a bachelor if elected president, the GOP senator said: “She would be a support network for me.”

“I hadn’t really thought much about it, but at the end of the day, whatever I ask her to do, she would do,” he said. “And if she took a role on, she would be a great representative of our country.”

Graham even joked in an interview with Daily Mail Online in 2015 that she could serve as his First Lady if needed.

Nordone has two daughters and has worked with helping people with disabilities find jobs, according to The New York Times.

Updated at 4:20 p.m. EDT

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