South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster faces a pivotal political decision following the unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham. The Republican governor, a loyalist of Donald Trump, will appoint a new senator to serve out the remainder of Graham's term, which ends on January 3.
Succession Process and Primary Election
Whoever McMaster appoints will likely have a leg up in a special primary election on August 11 to fill Graham's place on the November ballot. Graham won the June primary with 57% of the vote despite facing five challengers. The election calendar favors candidates with wide name recognition and deep institutional support. The eventual Republican candidate will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who gained significant support in the red state but still faces an uphill challenge.
Potential Candidates
Congressman Joe Wilson has reportedly expressed interest in the seat. Wilson, the longest-tenured member of South Carolina's Republican delegation, has represented the state's second congressional district since 2001. "With the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham he will always be cherished as an American Patriot tireless for peace through strength successful defeating totalitarians," Wilson wrote on X. "All three generations of the Wilson family extend deepest sympathy and appreciation of his dedicated service."
Mark Lynch, a Greenville businessman who came in second in the primary with 29% of the vote, was a critic of Graham's posture toward federal spending, immigration, and budget issues. Congressman Ralph Norman, who placed third in the Republican gubernatorial primary, and ultraconservative congresswoman Nancy Mace, who came in fifth in the gubernatorial primary, are also under speculation as successors.
Governor's Options and Historical Precedent
The state constitution does not forbid McMaster from naming himself as Graham's successor. His term-limited time as governor ends on January 13, 2027. Convention dictates that McMaster would resign, allowing Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette to ascend to the governorship for the remainder of the term and appoint McMaster. However, historically, that has not worked out well. In all but one case over the last century, voters deposed governors who were appointed to an open Senate seat, including in South Carolina when Governor Donald Russell resigned in 1965 so Lieutenant Governor Robert McNair could appoint him to the Senate seat vacated by Olin Johnston's death. Voters tossed Russell in the 1966 Democratic primary.
McMaster could instead appoint Evette. But the outgoing lieutenant governor lost a statewide race only three weeks ago, falling in a bid for the gubernatorial nomination to Attorney General Alan Wilson in a primary runoff, suggesting a rough road if she entered the compressed primary race.
Trump's Involvement
Speaking to NBC News on Meet The Press, Trump said he spoke with Graham on Saturday night after the senator flew home from a trip to Ukraine, describing Graham as like a member of the family. "He sounded a little tired. But perfect! But a little bit tired. He had a right to be. He was a worker." Trump said he is considering endorsements. "I have somebody that I think would be great," Trump said. "But, I don't want to say it now, because it's too soon with Lindsey."
Political Landscape
Graham had been polling three to five points ahead of Andrews. South Carolina last elected a Democrat to the US Senate in 1998 and has not elected any Democrat to statewide office since 2006. However, political uncertainty over the state's substantial population growth was a factor when the state senate chose in May to rebuff Trump's call for Republicans to redistrict South Carolina's congressional lines. Democrats are contesting every state legislative seat for the first time in a generation this year.
"I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina," Andrews wrote on X.
