President Donald Trump said he has a candidate in mind to fill Sen. Lindsey Graham's South Carolina seat, though he declined to publicly name the person immediately after the senator's death.
Speaking Sunday on NBC News, Trump suggested he would eventually reveal his preferred replacement. "I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don't want to say it now because it's just, you know, it's too soon with Lindsey," Trump told moderator Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press." "I don't want to even talk about anybody, but I do have somebody that I think is really good."
Graham had won the Republican primary in June and was positioned for an easy path to a fifth term in November before his unexpected death.
South Carolina law now sets the replacement process in motion. Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, must appoint a temporary successor to hold the seat until early January. The state will also conduct a special Republican primary on August 11, with filing for the race opening July 21.
Sen. Tim Scott, Graham's South Carolina colleague, said he had no insight into McMaster's likely appointment but expected the governor would consider current members of Congress. Scott told "Meet the Press" that while the party must move forward, "it's hard to swallow that life moves so quickly, and the party doesn't stop, ever."
Scott said an open primary process would serve South Carolinians best, regardless of who fills the interim role.
Rep. Nancy Mace is seriously considering a run for the seat, according to sources close to her thinking. Mace ran unsuccessfully for governor in the state's June primary and could now pivot to the Senate race.
Rep. Joe Wilson announced he will not run, citing his desire to maintain the House Republican majority. In a post on X, Wilson said he had spoken with Trump and emphasized his commitment to keeping Republicans' narrow advantage in the chamber.
Mark Lynch, a businessman who challenged Graham in the earlier Republican primary, did not indicate whether he planned another bid. "While we had our political disagreements, today is not a day for politics," Lynch said in a statement.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump keeping his pick close to the vest is pure political calculation, but someone in his orbit will almost certainly test the waters in the August primary regardless."
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