CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Darline Graham Nordone, who was appointed to serve the remaining months of the Senate term that her late brother, Lindsey Graham, left behind when he died over the weekend, hasn’t been in office before.But through her brother’s decades of public service, Nordone has been by his side, supporting him in speeches, appearances and even campaign ads.Besides being a frequent attendee at Graham’s political events, Nordone is woven deeply into her brother’s personal and political biography. After both of their parents died in just over a year, Graham, then age 22, became legal guardian for his 13-year-old sister.Now, after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster tapped Nordone to serve in Graham’s seat until January, Nordone is heading to Washington, tasked with representing the interests for which her brother advocated with passion.A special primary held next month will sort out what Republican moves forward in the general election to face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
From brother to legal guardian, Graham raised his sisterWhile Graham was in his early 20s, his life — and that of his sister — was turned upside down. Their mother died in 1976 after battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Fifteen months later, his sister, then 13, discovered their father after he suffered a heart attack in his sleep and died.Graham was just beginning law school at the University of South Carolina. With both parents gone, he pivoted, saying that his chief goal was to ensure his sister was cared for.
