Lindsey Graham's sister named to take his position in the South Carolina Senate

Trey Gowdy Discusses Darlene Graham Nordone’s Senate Appointment

Trey Gowdy expressed heartfelt emotions regarding the appointment of Darlene Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, as U.S. Senate pro tempore. He highlighted Lindsey’s strong affection for his sister and considered it a poignant turn of events that she continues his legacy. Gowdy reminisced about their modest beginnings, pointing out how proud Lindsey was of Darlene, describing the occasion as “tragically symmetrical.”

After the unexpected passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), South Carolina’s Governor Henry McMaster chose Darlene Graham to finish her brother’s term, continuing a historical pattern where family members step into roles once held by deceased relatives. When Darlene is sworn in, she will also become the first female U.S. senator from South Carolina.

Rep. Julia Letlow

Representative Julia Letlow (R-La.), who has garnered support from former President Donald Trump, has been actively working on her campaign to represent Louisiana in the U.S. Senate. Her own political journey began when her husband, Luke Letlow, tragically died of COVID-19 complications just after being elected to Congress in December 2020.

Though Luke never took office, Julia carried the torch and successfully ran in the 2021 special election to fill his seat.

Rep. Adelita Grijalva

Similarly, Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva found herself stepping into a political role after losing her father, former Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), to lung cancer in March 2025. Just six months later, she announced her victory in a special election to take his place, defeating her Republican opponent by over 40,000 votes.

Grijalva officially became a member of the U.S. House on November 12, 2025, despite some initial pushback from Democrats regarding her swearing-in process.

Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter

Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter (D-Texas) is another example of a family member stepping into a congressional role. Following the death of her mother, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who served from 1995 until her passing in early 2024, Carter initially supported another candidate to replace her mother. However, she later changed her course and won the special election to fulfill Jackson Lee’s term, winning by a significant margin.

Carter eventually opted not to seek re-election, allowing another candidate to take her mother’s spot.

Historic Female Senators

A notable historical example is Mary Bono, who took over her late husband Sonny Bono’s congressional seat after he passed away in a skiing accident in 1998. Mary Bono served for 15 years, with her tenure only ending after a challenging redistricting process. This case is often cited when discussing the rise of women in politics, particularly in the context of replacing deceased family members.

In New Jersey, Donald Payne Jr. also followed in his father’s footsteps after he passed away, winning the special election to represent their district.

Darlene Graham’s nomination not only connects to this tradition but also marks a significant milestone in South Carolina’s history regarding female representation in politics. After accepting the nomination, Darlene expressed gratitude towards her brother for his support throughout her life, promising to honor his legacy.