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Darline Graham Nordone was sworn in to fill the U.S. Senate seat of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.Graham Nordone is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.She will serve until January 2027, following the winner of the November midterm election.Graham Nordone has stated she intends to continue her brother's work and support the president.This story has been updated to correct Darline Graham Nordone's escort.Darline Graham Nordone has become the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate, replacing her brother, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, three days after he died.South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Alabama Sen. Katie Britt escorted Graham Nordone into Senate chambers at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on July 14, and she was sworn into office by longtime Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the president pro tempore of the Senate.The 64-year-old Graham Nordone's swearing-in comes a day after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster named her to fill the seat. Graham died unexpectedly July 11 from a life-threatening condition caused by a tear in his aorta, the body's main artery. He was 71.President Donald Trump had urged her appointment in a Truth Social post. Graham Nordine will now serve in the Senate until Jan. 3, 2027, after which the winner of the closely watched November election will take over.She has no previous political experience, but Graham Nordone has said that with the support of her brother's staff and colleagues, she feels confident she can do the job.Graham Nordone's presence in the Senate helps keep the Republican majority intact at a moment when their margin is very thin, and GOP leaders have struggled to accomplish some of Trump's priorities. Graham Nordone expected to follow her brother's pathSpeaking after her Senate appointment on July 13, Graham Nordone indicated that she intends to continue the work of her late brother. She described him as an outstanding leader who worked harder than anyone else to make the state, the country and the world better."It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard 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," Graham Nordone said.Unknown if Graham Nordone will seek Senate seat permanentlyIt's unclear if Graham Nordone, a married mother of two adult kids and a grandmother who has spent most of her professional career in disability services and workforce development rather than elective politics, will run for her brother's Senate seat in the Palmetto State.Lindsey Graham was seeking a fifth term in the Senate in this year’s midterm elections after defeating several challengers, most notably Mark Lynch, a wealthy businessman, in South Carolina’s Republican primary last month.Graham prevailed over five primary challengers in June and was expected to face the Democratic nominee, Annie Andrews. Andrews, a pediatrician, previously lost a general election race for GOP Rep. Nancy Mace's congressional seat in 2022.South Carolina Republicans will have to hold a special primary to replace Graham as their nominee.Several names have come up as possible contenders, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Mace, both of whom ran unsuccessfully for governor earlier this year, and Rep. Russell Fry, who represents South Carolina's 7th Congressional District. Former Rep. Trey Gowdy and current Rep. William Timmons have also been mentioned.The special primary election will be held Aug. 11.Contributing: Zachary Schermele and Bella Carpentier, USA TODAY Network
