Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after sudden illness
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Latest News Stories
Supreme Court declines to hear COVID-19 vaccine case
Supreme Court agrees to hear prisoner release case
New Jersey city faces curfew after violent anti-ICE demonstrations
Beecher Awards $37,444 Bid to Replace 13 Village Hall Windows
Property tax-free Bears deal fails to pass
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer charged with new felony
$55.9 billion budget includes new taxes, ‘no property tax relief’
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools
Election 2026: Stumps heavy with economy, crime in U.S. Senate race
Quintuple fatal in Virginia renews focus on English language in CDL licensures
Everyday Economics: Jobs report to test how long consumers can keep carrying economy
Congress returns to backlog of must-pass legislation
