Sen. Lindsey Graham Dies at 71, Shaking Senate Majority

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday evening at 71, the Washington D.C. medical examiner said. The cause was an aortic dissection — a tear in the main artery carrying blood from the heart — stemming from cardiovascular disease.

Graham's death sent shockwaves through Washington, costing President Donald Trump one of his steadiest congressional allies and further thinning Republican ranks in the Senate at a critical juncture. The GOP had commanded a 53-47 majority before Graham's passing; with Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky also sidelined — hospitalized since June 14 following a fall — Republicans have effectively lost two votes from their working majority.

Graham had returned home only days before he died after a trip to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. He had also attended a NATO summit earlier that week. Trump, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," said he had spoken with Graham on Saturday, describing him as "like a gauge, a temperature gauge of the Senate — he could go in and get something approved."

First elected to the Senate in 2002, Graham had chaired the Senate Budget Committee and held senior posts on the Appropriations and Judiciary committees. His sudden death threw into doubt Republican efforts to move forward on defense spending legislation, confirm attorney general nominee Todd Blanche, reauthorize a foreign surveillance law and steer clear of a government shutdown. Graham had also been a driving force behind a package of Russia sanctions crafted alongside Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut — an agreement announced just before Graham's death.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Graham "understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable" and that the country had lost "one of its greatest friends." Zelenskyy called Graham "a true defender of freedom" and said the two had been "in constant dialogue."

Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is required by state law to name an interim senator to hold the seat through the end of Graham's term, which expires Jan. 3. Under state law, a one-week candidate filing window opens on the second Tuesday after Graham's death — July 21 — followed by a special primary on Aug. 11. If no candidate clears that contest outright, a runoff would be held Aug. 25, with a general election scheduled for Nov. 3.

Because Graham had already locked up the Republican nomination, state law mandates a separate special election process running parallel to the governor's interim appointment.

Among those reported to be considering a bid for the seat are Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Russell Fry. Rep. Joe Wilson said Sunday he had told Trump his "goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority." Social media posts suggested Mace had signaled interest in pursuing the Senate seat as South Carolina Republicans braced for a political scramble following Graham's death.

McConnell broke his public silence Sunday, revealing in a statement that his June 14 fall had left him briefly unconscious and that he subsequently developed mild pneumonia. He said he has since transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility and will not be able to return to the Senate floor "quite yet" but is continuing to work with staff on Senate business. McConnell, 84, is set to retire when his current term ends in January.