Graham was known to have a close relationship with his sister, who has been appointed to finish out the remaining months of his term.
Darline Graham Nordone officially assumed the role of South Carolina senator on Monday following her brother Lindsey Graham’s unexpected death over the weekend.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed the long-time lawmaker’s sister, who has never served as a public official before, to finish out the remaining months of his term through Jan. 3, 2027.
Although Nordone has never held office, she had always been at her brother’s side throughout his political career.
“My brother was the most amazing person, outstanding leader, and just a genuinely good man,” she said after McMaster appointed her. “Lindsey has always been there for me and now I will be there for him.”
Graham died at 71 years old, succumbing to a “brief and sudden illness,” according to his office, after a trip to Kyiv, Ukraine. Preliminary findings from a medical examiner reported that he died from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which is an aortic rupture due to the hardening of arteries.
Graham was known to have a close relationship with his sister, who has not said whether she will seek a full term.
Family Woman
Nordone is a wife and mother of two who lives with her family in Lexington, South Carolina.
Her brother was barely out of his teenage years when he became a legal guardian for Nordone, who was still a child, after both their parents died within a year and a half of each other.
“I can remember the day my father passed away, standing in the living room of that house, absolutely scared to death,” Nordone told National Public Radio in a 2015 interview. “Lindsey wrapped his arms around me and promised me he would always be there for me and always take care of me.”
In another interview with The New York Times, Nordone said Graham is “like a brother, a father, and a mother rolled into one.”
For decades, they remained close, with Nordone sometimes appearing at rallies and in campaign advertisements for Graham.
In one advert, Nordone said they “didn’t have a lot” growing up in a small town in central South Carolina.
Graham helped her with homework, gave her medicine when she was sick, taught her how to ride a bicycle, and was always the one who took care of her.
“It was hard when we lost my mom and my dad,” Nordone said. “Lindsey assured me that he was going to take care of me and he was going to be there for me, and he did. He never let me down.”
Graham, who was several years older than his sister, came home from college every weekend, Nordone said, and ensured she also went to college.
“To take on that responsibility of raising a little sister, that came from within,” Nordone said. “And he did a good job.”
Employment History
With Gov. McMaster appointing Nordone to the Senate, she became the first woman in South Carolina’s history to represent the state in the upper chamber.
“Lindsey Graham recognized the greatness of America, the seriousness of his work, and also the value of human and lighthearted spirit,” McMaster said in a news release. “It is my duty and honor to name someone to serve in the place of this extraordinary man for the remainder of his term. It is my honor to ask his little sister, Darline, to finish his work.”
The beginning of Nordone’s political career is a continuation of a lifetime of public service.
She has served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019, helping blind or low-vision South Carolinians achieve employment and independence.
In addition to her full-time position as commissioner, Nordone is on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind.
Before these roles, she held positions with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, and the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Nordone attended the College of Charleston, where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. She is also a certified public manager.
“Lindsey worked harder than anyone to make our state, country, and world better. He loved his family and loved serving this state and the country,” Nordone said. “I promise to work hard every day over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States.”
By Troy Myers
