Darline Graham appointed to U.S. Senate seat, brings government experience in disability programs
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Darline Graham, a longtime civil servant from South Carolina, was sworn in to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat. Her background in state-run vocational rehabilitation and leadership at the Commission for the Blind is expected to influence her work in Washington, as she continues her family’s legacy.
Darline Graham, 62, was sworn in this week to serve the remainder of the U.S. Senate term left vacant by her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, whose death marked the end of a distinguished conservative tenure. Unlike her late brother, a seasoned statesman with over three decades of experience defending South Carolina’s values, Darline Graham has never held elected office. Her career has been rooted in government-run vocational rehabilitation programs, focusing on helping people with disabilities find employment through taxpayer-funded initiatives.
Colleagues and disability advocates describe Graham as a dedicated civil servant with practical knowledge of the challenges faced by the disability community. Kimberly Tissot, president of Able South Carolina, noted Graham’s commitment to family and employment issues, steering clear of divisive partisan politics. Graham played a role in passing a 2022 state law that eliminated sub-minimum wages for workers with disabilities, a measure that passed with bipartisan support and demonstrated her ability to work across the aisle.
Since 2019, Graham has led South Carolina’s Commission for the Blind, overseeing employment and training programs for blind and low-vision residents. David Houck, executive director of the Federation Center of the Blind, praised her experience and said the blind community in the state supports her appointment, recognizing her dedication to service.
In her first public remarks as senator, Graham pledged to "work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States." Her political contributions are minimal, with a single $100 donation to former state Sen. Katrina Shealy’s 2020 re-election campaign, reflecting her focus on public service rather than political maneuvering.
Graham’s appointment comes as federal policy proposals, including potential Medicaid cuts and changes to special-education oversight, raise concerns among disability advocates about the future of these programs. As she serves until January 2027, Graham is expected to uphold her family’s tradition of principled leadership and ensure that South Carolina’s interests remain represented in Washington.