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

One in five calls answered on IRS identity theft line, watchdog says

One in five calls answered on IRS identity theft line, watchdog says

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The IRS processed nearly 139 million returns in 2026, but millions of taxpayers still faced refund delays, identity theft backlogs and phone lines they couldn't...
'Don't be a hypocrite:' Congressional hearing with DHS Secretary Mullin heats up

‘Don’t be a hypocrite:’ Congressional hearing with DHS Secretary Mullin heats up

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee hearing devolved into a shouting match between Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The...
Hawaii gun law struck down by U.S. Supreme Court

Hawaii gun law struck down by U.S. Supreme Court

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 along ideological lines Thursday that a Hawaii law requiring concealed-carry permit holders to obtain permission before entering most private...
Illinois SNAP error rate rises; Pritzker blames Trump

Illinois SNAP error rate rises; Pritzker blames Trump

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois now has the fifth-highest error rate in the nation for improper payments to recipients of federal...
Watchdog: Canceled NASA contracts more than doubled in cost

Watchdog: Canceled NASA contracts more than doubled in cost

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A new federal watchdog report found contract values on canceled Artemis systems more than doubled, to $5.9 billion, and NASA still hasn't disclosed what its...
Senate committee explores ways to protect American citizenship

Senate committee explores ways to protect American citizenship

By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution met on Wednesday to discuss the subject of protecting America’s citizenship, considering America’s 250th...
Chicago video gambling hearing abruptly ends in debate, disarray

Chicago video gambling hearing abruptly ends in debate, disarray

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A public meeting Wednesday on the state of legal gambling in Chicago was brought to an abrupt...
$87.6B war supplemental draws bipartisan questions about unrelated riders

$87.6B war supplemental draws bipartisan questions about unrelated riders

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Trump administration has requested Congress authorize $87.6 billion in immediate appropriations, most of which reimburses the costs of Operation Epic Fury and boosts Pentagon...
Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case

Illinois Quick Hits: Court rules against parents in East St. Louis busing case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed an appellate court’s ruling in a case involving state requirements of...
DHS secretary blasts Illinois correctional centers

DHS secretary blasts Illinois correctional centers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is calling out state correctional facilities after he faced questions from...
Walz files for information on Trump 'retribution campaign'

Walz files for information on Trump ‘retribution campaign’

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Gov. Tim Walz has filed 16 Freedom of Information Act requests with federal agencies seeking records he says could reveal what he has labeled as...
Supreme Court upholds executive authority in immigration cases

Supreme Court upholds executive authority in immigration cases

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Asylum seekers who arrive at the border are not entitled to entry and the Department of Homeland Security has broad authority over the temporary protected...
DeWine vetoes absentee voter photo ID

DeWine vetoes absentee voter photo ID

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Ohio legislative Republicans have not committed to an override of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill requiring voter ID for absentee ballots, but...
U.S. jumping into action to assist Venezuela following massive earthquakes

U.S. jumping into action to assist Venezuela following massive earthquakes

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. is vowing to assist following two powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela Wednesday evening, with thousands of casualties feared. In a Truth Social post,...
Parents warned of YMCA camps’ transgender-inclusive policies for cabins, restrooms

Parents warned of YMCA camps’ transgender-inclusive policies for cabins, restrooms

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square The American Parents Coalition released a “Lookout” notification to parents over the YMCA’s transgender-inclusive camp and programming policies that include allowing males into female cabins...