Lindsey Graham’s sister appointed to fill his Senate seat after decades-long family bond
Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, has been appointed to temporarily fill his Senate seat after spending decades as a close supporter and personal connection to her brother’s political career.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster selected Nordone to serve the remainder of Graham’s term through January, sending her to Washington for her first government office role. A special Republican primary next month will determine the party’s nominee for the November election, where the winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews.
Nordone’s connection to public service began long before her appointment. After their mother died from Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1976 and their father died about 15 months later, Graham, then 22 and attending law school, became responsible for raising his 13-year-old sister.
Graham took on the role of guardian while continuing his education, regularly traveling between Columbia and Seneca to care for Nordone. After joining the Air Force as a military lawyer, he formally adopted her so she could receive military benefits.
The siblings remained closely connected throughout Graham’s political career. Nordone frequently appeared alongside him at campaign events, public appearances and even in a 2014 campaign advertisement highlighting the promise he made to care for her after their parents’ deaths.
Graham, who never married or had children, often described his sister as one of the greatest accomplishments of his life. In 2016, while running for president, he joked that Nordone could have been among the people who served as a potential first lady figure in the White House.
When Graham filed paperwork for his latest Senate campaign earlier this year, Nordone stood beside him along with her children and grandchildren. He reflected on the challenges they overcame together and said his life had been shaped by gratitude and a desire to serve others.
Nordone later built her own life, raising a family and working with people with disabilities. Graham previously said that seeing his sister succeed was one of the proudest moments of his life.
Those close to Graham said the hardships they experienced growing up had a lasting impact on him and helped shape his determination and public service career.
Nordone’s appointment was recommended by President Donald Trump, who praised the selection as a tribute to Graham and his close relationship with his sister.
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