Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) died suddenly Saturday night, creating an unexpected vacancy as he campaigned for a fifth term and temporarily narrowing President Donald Trump's already fragile Senate majority.
Graham died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a preliminary medical examiner finding released by his office.
The 71-year-old won the Republican primary last month and was the heavy favorite against Democrat Annie Andrews in conservative South Carolina. The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the filing period to replace him opens July 21 and closes July 28. A special primary will take place Aug. 11, with a runoff Aug. 25 if no candidate wins outright.
The race could quickly become crowded. Graham held the seat for more than two decades, effectively blocking a generation of ambitious South Carolina Republicans from seeking what could become a lifetime post in a deep-red state.
South Carolina has six Republican House members, including Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, who both gave up their seats and lost gubernatorial bids this year. Mace is strongly considering a Senate run, while Norman is also weighing one, the Post reported.
Rep. Joe Wilson, whose son Alan Wilson is the GOP nominee for governor, has signaled he will not run before his House term ends because Republicans hold only a slim majority there.
Bloomberg Government reported on Sunday that Norman spoke with Trump about a potential endorsement and that Trump told him, "Give me a week." South Carolina's gubernatorial primary also included Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Trump's initial pick, who led the first round but lost to Alan Wilson in a runoff.
Trump may ultimately have the decisive voice. On NBC's "Meet the Press," he said there is "somebody that I think would be great" for the seat but declined to name the person because it was "too soon."
When the Senate returns this week, Republicans will be down two members, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still hospitalized after a fall and pneumonia. AP reported the GOP majority is temporarily down to 51-47 as Republicans try to advance Trump's agenda and confirm nominees, including attorney general nominee Todd Blanch.
