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

Op-Ed: The FAA's O'Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

Op-Ed: The FAA’s O’Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

By Mario H. Lopez | Hispanic Leadership FundThe Center Square At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, one of the nation's most critical travel hubs and a gateway for millions of passengers...
Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Based on the multiple billions of dollars lost to scams and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Legislative Committee Advances Resolution Opposing Kidney Disease Treatment Delegation Act

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Legislative Committee unanimously approved a resolution formally opposing Senate Bill 3445 and House Bill 4402, citing...
Cooper gets $31.4M share of $111.2M spend

Cooper gets $31.4M share of $111.2M spend

By Alan WootenThe Center Square The bid of Roy Cooper to the U.S. Senate is getting a $31.4 million infusion for television advertising, the Senate Majority PAC told The Center...
Appeals court freezes tariff ruling, businesses keep paying

Appeals court freezes tariff ruling, businesses keep paying

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Two small businesses that won a court ruling against President Donald Trump's tariffs must continue paying them for now, after a federal appeals court on...

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois,...
Pretrial Fairness Act invoked as Illinois Supreme Court hears detention case

Pretrial Fairness Act invoked as Illinois Supreme Court hears detention case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A case involving the continued detention of defendants under the Pretrial Fairness Act portion of the SAFE-T...
Border crisis fallout: Midwest prosecutions of SATG crime ongoing

Border crisis fallout: Midwest prosecutions of SATG crime ongoing

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After a record number of border crimes were reported during the Biden administration, criminal investigations and prosecutions are ongoing. In the Midwest, prosecutors are also...
EXCLUSIVE: Medical watchdog urges social work accreditor to remove DEI requirements

EXCLUSIVE: Medical watchdog urges social work accreditor to remove DEI requirements

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Medical watchdog Do No Harm sent a letter to social work accreditor the Council on Social Work Education Wednesday urging that it remove all diversity,...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

Commission Approves Massive Lake Michigan Water Infrastructure Project for Troy Township

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on May 5, 2026, unanimously approved two major public utility...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Committee: Capital Improvements Committee Weighs $300 Million Options for Downtown Joliet Campus

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee is evaluating four multi-million-dollar proposals to replace aging...
Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary

Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Nebraska elected incumbent candidates in races throughout the state on Tuesday. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts was nominated in the Republican primary, and...
US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at stopping American taxpayer dollars from helping finance foreign shrimp operations that Gulf Coast lawmakers say...
US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at stopping American taxpayer dollars from helping finance foreign shrimp operations that Gulf Coast lawmakers say...
CBO says Pentagon's Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion

CBO says Pentagon’s Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense shield could cost American taxpayers as much as $1.2 trillion...