Darline Graham will sit down with President Trump in the Oval Office this morning, barely a week after her brother, longtime Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, died unexpectedly. The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. local time.
Darline was sworn in this week to fill the remainder of Lindsey's Senate term after South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to the seat. The appointment came swiftly and carried Trump's backing. Her brother, who had served multiple terms representing the state, passed away Saturday night at age 71 from aortic dissection due to cardiovascular disease, according to the state medical examiner's preliminary ruling.
At a press conference Monday, Darline described the appointment as an honor. She recalled that Lindsey had become her legal guardian after their parents died when she was young. "Now, I will be there for him," she said, vowing to support the president and advance her brother's agenda for the remainder of his term, which runs through January 3.
"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," she said. "I think this is what Lindsey would have wanted, and I plan to honor him in this way."
Lindsey Graham had been pursuing a fifth Senate term, securing the Republican nomination only last month. The state GOP has scheduled a special election for August 11 to select a new nominee for the general election. Democrat Annie Andrews is expected to be the party's general election candidate in November.
Trump's calendar is busy today. He is also scheduled to meet with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele at 11 a.m. in the Oval Office.
Author James Rodriguez: "Darline Graham steps into one of the most prominent seats in Congress during the most raw moment of her life. Whether she seeks the seat permanently will tell us everything about her next move."
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