Who will serve in U.S. Senate after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death? What we know

The sudden death of Lindsey Graham triggered the start of a swift campaign cycle to replace the longtime senator. It will be the first time a South Carolina U.S. Senate seat is open in more than a decade.

The GOP primary to replace Graham on the November ballot for U.S. Senate will be August 11, an election official confirmed Sunday.

Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster will also name a temporary replacement until the full-time successor is elected.

Graham was running for a fifth, six-year term to the U.S. Senate. He easily clinched the Republican nomination last month. Graham died Saturday night in Washington.

South Carolina state law sets out the timeline for replacing a party nominee in the event of their death.

Potential candidates will have just over two weeks to decide whether they want to compete for Graham’s seat.

Filing for the seat will open at noon July 21 and close the same time July 28. A spokesperson for the South Carolina Republican Party also confirmed the timeline.

McMaster is expected to name a temporary replacement to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.

The person McMaster names will serve until Congress reconvenes in January. Michelle LeClair, spokesperson for McMaster, said the governor’s office is focused on “honoring Graham’s life and service” in a text message.

“Questions regarding the process for filling the vacancy will be addressed by the Governor’s Office when there are updates to share,” LeClair said in a text.

President Donald Trump said Sunday on Meet the Press he had someone in mind to succeed Graham in Congress. He declined to name anyone, however.

“They’ll have some people joining,” Trump said of the election. “Some are good, some are bad, but I have somebody that I like. But I’m not going to tell you who now because it’s too soon.”

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott also said on Meet the Press he did not know who McMaster would choose as Graham’s temporary replacement, but he expected “at least one or two congress members” to be considered.

“Hard to swallow that life moves so quickly and the party doesn’t stop ever,” Scott said.

Reporter Joseph Bustos contributed reporting to this article.

This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Who will serve in U.S. Senate after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death? What we know."