Darline Graham Sworn In as South Carolina's First Female U.S. Senator
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Governor Henry McMaster appointed Senator Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to complete his term, and she was sworn in on Tuesday, becoming the state's first woman in the Senate.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, to serve the remainder of his U.S. Senate term. She took the oath of office on Tuesday in the Senate chamber, with Republican senators Tim Scott and Katie Britt in attendance and Senator Chuck Grassley administering the oath. Graham placed her hand on a Bible and pledged to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," after which the chamber applauded.
The appointment makes Graham the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. In remarks following the ceremony, she said she intended to "work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother" and expressed a commitment to honor his legacy.
Governor McMaster, speaking at a press conference in Columbia, said the appointment was made to allow Graham to finish her brother's work. The late Senator Graham had been seeking a fifth term at the time of his death. A special election is scheduled for August 11 to select a new Republican nominee, who will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November midterm elections.