Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after sudden illness

Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after sudden illness

July 12, 2026/
Spread the love

By J.D. Davidson
The Center Square

South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump’s strongest allies in the U.S. Senate and a former presidential candidate, died Saturday night after a brief illness, a statement from his office said.

He was 71.

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” a statement from his office said.

On social media, Trump called Graham a true patriot.

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!!” Trump wrote.

Graham, first elected to the Senate in 2002, was running for reelection.

His political career began in 1996 in the U.S. House of Representatives as the first Republican to win in the South Carolina 3rd Congressional District since 1877.

Graham ran for president in 2015 in a crowded Republican primary field that included then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, then-Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz and Trump.

He dropped out of the race six months after announcing his candidacy.

The South Carolina native was an Air Force veteran, serving as a lawyer for six years, and served in the South Carolina Air National Guard until 1995.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

State officials race clock amid legal changes to gerrymandered maps

State officials race clock amid legal changes to gerrymandered maps

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square States looking to pad partisan advantage by redrawing political maps ahead of the 2026 midterms face mounting legal challenges and a fresh race against the...
Illinois quick hits: CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH

Illinois quick hits: CDC’s autism and vaccines website criticized by IDPH

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square CDC's autism and vaccines website criticized The Illinois Department of Public Health is criticizing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...
Federal judge orders halt to National Guard deployment in DC

Federal judge orders halt to National Guard deployment in DC

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in the District of Columbia ordered the Trump administration to end its deployment of the National Guard in the nation's capital. Judge...
Consumer group files amicus brief on behalf of NRA’s petition to Supreme Court

Consumer group files amicus brief on behalf of NRA’s petition to Supreme Court

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumers’ Research says consumers must be protected from government officials who abuse their power as it filed an amicus brief in support of the National...
Report links Minnesota welfare fraud to terrorist funding

Report links Minnesota welfare fraud to terrorist funding

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square New reports allege that millions of taxpayer dollars have been fraudulently stolen from the Minnesota welfare system and then sent to the Somali-based terror group...
White House denies Trump wants to execute 'seditious' Dem lawmakers

White House denies Trump wants to execute ‘seditious’ Dem lawmakers

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Despite several social media posts that seem to suggest the contrary, President Donald Trump does not want to execute Democratic members of Congress for “seditious...
IL GOP U.S. Senate candidate says state needs balanced representation

IL GOP U.S. Senate candidate says state needs balanced representation

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite having to push through a potentially crowded primary field, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy says...
Wheat price drop brings notable Thanksgiving savings for Illinois families

Wheat price drop brings notable Thanksgiving savings for Illinois families

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois families will see some relief at the Thanksgiving table this year, with the average cost...
Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

Illinois lawmaker calls FDA hormone therapy reversal ‘overdue’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and practicing physician weighs said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F....
September jobs report adds 119,000, steady unemployment

September jobs report adds 119,000, steady unemployment

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The delayed release of a September report on the labor market appeared to defy expectations. The report showed employers added 119,000 jobs in September, a...
Indicted Florida congresswoman leaves committee leadership post

Indicted Florida congresswoman leaves committee leadership post

By Merrilee GasserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, indicted on charges of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and using some of it for her campaign,...
Existing home sales up 1.2% in October

Existing home sales up 1.2% in October

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Sales of existing homes climbed 1.2% in October, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors. The 1.2% increase in existing-home...
Chip Roy calls for full pause on all U.S. immigration

Chip Roy calls for full pause on all U.S. immigration

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is proposing a freeze to legal immigration admissions and visa issuances until the federal government addresses changes to the immigration...
Prosecutors defend indictment in Comey case after defense questions

Prosecutors defend indictment in Comey case after defense questions

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Prosecutors defended how they presented the criminal case against former FBI boss James Comey to a grand jury after defense attorneys said the indictment failed...
IL Rep on congressmen trading: 'We're not going to take a pile of money to hell'

IL Rep on congressmen trading: ‘We’re not going to take a pile of money to hell’

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square An Illinois congresswoman says the public is right to be alarmed about elected officials enriching themselves through insider trading. The U.S. House Administration Committee held...