Graham: Man of great faith, fierce fighter for South Carolina, America

By Alan Wooten
The Center Square

From colleagues in both major parties to leaders of foreign nations, appreciation for the public service of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has been overwhelming since he died Saturday night.

Graham, two days after his 71st birthday, had a tear of the aorta according to the preliminary medical examiner’s report. A cause of death will be forthcoming.

Darline Graham Nordone, his sister, was sworn in Tuesday afternoon. She was chosen to fulfill the remainder of his term this calendar year by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster with full support of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and second-term Republican President Donald Trump.

“I think this is what Lindsey would have wanted,” Nordone said. “I promise to work hard over the next several months to carry forward the efforts of my brother.”

Graham’s legacy through four terms each in the Senate and House of Representatives ran strong on foreign policy and national security. He challenged Trump, both in the 2016 presidential primary and beyond, and yet more often than not was considered among the president’s staunchest allies.

“Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable,” McMaster said. “The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America and a loyal and steadfast friend.”

Sen. Tim Scott, moving into the senior senator role for the state, said Graham led with faith, family and South Carolina first.

“Our political relationship was sometimes partisan and passionate, but always pleasant and productive on behalf of the people of South Carolina,” said U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the 17th term lawmaker turning 86 years young next Tuesday and seeking reelection in November. “For more than three decades, we served the people of the Palmetto State together in Congress. Throughout that time, we maintained a relationship grounded in mutual respect, even when our political differences were significant. His commitment to public service and the people he represented will remain an enduring part of his legacy.”

Trump said Graham was one of the greatest people and senators he’s known. Former President Joe Biden admitted he and Graham often disagreed, and “sometimes loudly,” yet each “loved the Senate as an institution, even with all its flaws and complexities.”

Former President George W. Bush said Graham knew “how important America’s international engagement is to resist tyranny.”

Graham would have faced Dr. Annie Andrews in his reelection bid in November.

“From his small-town South Carolina roots to the halls of the U.S. Senate, he was a man of great faith who proudly served our nation as a JAG officer and Air Force colonel,” said the Charleston pediatrician. “I hope South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Graham was “a great friend of Israel.”

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Graham met him twice in the week before he died, visited the country 10 times since Russia’s 2022 invasion, and “was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”