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

Justice Department agrees to appearance waiver for Comey

Justice Department agrees to appearance waiver for Comey

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday requested his appearance in a North Carolina federal court be canceled, and the U.S. Department of Justice gave...
beecher illinois public library graphic.1

Beecher Library Trustees Award 2026 Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance Contracts

Beecher Public Library District Meeting | March 17, 2026 Groundskeeping Approved: The Beecher Public Library District Board approved two separate contracts for the 2026 season to manage lawn mowing, bush...
Court strikes down Trump's backup tariffs as unlawful

Court strikes down Trump’s backup tariffs as unlawful

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal trade court struck down President Donald Trump's latest global tariff on Thursday, ruling that the import taxes were unauthorized by law and ordering...
U.S. deficit projected to hit $2 trillion, double fiscal target

U.S. deficit projected to hit $2 trillion, double fiscal target

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The federal government is projected to post a $2 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2026, double the 3% of GDP target that has bipartisan support...
Iran targets Navy ships, U.S. responds; ceasefire in question

Iran targets Navy ships, U.S. responds; ceasefire in question

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Exactly one month after the U.S. declared a ceasefire with Iran, the U.S. struck Iranian military sites Thursday in retaliation for “unprovoked” attacks on a...
Fetterman: Democrats can't 'simply be the opposite' of 'whatever Trump says'

Fetterman: Democrats can’t ‘simply be the opposite’ of ‘whatever Trump says’

By John ColeThe Center Square After a series of votes and statements putting him at odds with his fellow Democrats over the past year, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., says...
Bahamas parliament candidate faces scrutiny over ties to accused cocaine smuggler

Bahamas parliament candidate faces scrutiny over ties to accused cocaine smuggler

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – A former Bahamian national security minister running for parliament faces growing scrutiny ahead of next week’s general election over his...
Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Massive Fourth Inning, Maher’s Pitching Power Beecher Past Peotone 11-1

The Beecher varsity baseball team utilized a staggering eight-run fourth inning and a dominant complete-game performance from Chase Maher to secure an 11-1 non-conference victory over visiting Peotone on Wednesday....
Clashing housing availability, affordability proposals weighed in Springfield

Clashing housing availability, affordability proposals weighed in Springfield

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plans to cut red tape and create less restrictive zoning laws statewide has been a major focus...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Allie Johnson Tosses 13-Strikeout One-Hitter as Beecher Blanks Peotone 5-0

Sophomore pitcher Allie Johnson delivered a masterpiece in the circle on Wednesday, spinning a one-hit shutout to lead the Beecher varsity softball team to a 5-0 home non-conference victory over...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The unemployment rate in Illinois has risen to 5.2%, according to data released onThursday by the U.S....
Detention hearing continued to next week for suspect in Trump threats

Detention hearing continued to next week for suspect in Trump threats

By Alan WootenThe Center Square The detention hearing for Army veteran Daniel Swain, the South Carolinian arrested in North Carolina accused of being headed to Washington, on Thursday was continued...
Digital ad tax plan prompts discussion as impacts remain unclear

Digital ad tax plan prompts discussion as impacts remain unclear

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A digital advertising tax is up for discussion in the Illinois legislature, but opponents say big tech...
Bill preventing illegal immigrants from driving also impacts state voter ID laws

Bill preventing illegal immigrants from driving also impacts state voter ID laws

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Four Republican U.S. senators are pushing a bill that would penalize states that issue driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, or personal identification cards to migrants...

WATCH: New survey finds more WA businesses considering moving out of state

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A new survey of Washington businesses reveals growing pessimism about the state’s economy and ability to be successful in the Evergreen state. The survey conducted...