In the US, following the death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, discussions about his successor have already begun. Unexpectedly, his sister has emerged as one of the main candidates for the vacant seat. This was announced by US President Donald Trump in his microblog on the social network Truth Social.
According to the White House chief, he personally recommended to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster that Darlene Graham be appointed as interim senator. Trump emphasized that this would be a fitting tribute to a politician who loved his sister very much.
Political context of the appointment
According to South Carolina state law, the governor has the right to independently appoint an interim senator who will perform the duties until new elections are held. This decision carries significant political weight: typically, the interim senator becomes the Republican Party's candidate for the next Congressional elections.
Experts do not rule out that Trump's proposal regarding Darlene Graham is intended to avoid favoring any other potential contenders, thereby maintaining a balance of power within the party.
Who is Lindsey Graham
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on the evening of July 11 after a brief, sudden illness. Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, he remained one of Kyiv's most active allies in the US Congress.
His last foreign trip was a visit to Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian leadership. During the negotiations, Graham called for tightening sanctions against Russia, further support for the Ukrainian army, and increased pressure on the Kremlin.
