South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has appointed the late Senator Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to fill his Senate seat, a move that comes with the blessing of President Donald Trump.

The governor said he offered her the job on Sunday morning, just after her brother's death, and she accepted tearfully. On Monday, during her appointment, Nordone said: "Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him." She made clear she intends to continue her brother's political agenda and align herself with Trump's allies in the Senate.

Nordone will serve until January 3, 2027, unless she runs for and wins the seat in the November election. Republicans will hold a special primary on August 11 to choose a replacement nominee for Graham, with the winner facing Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election. South Carolina Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman are reportedly considering campaigns for the seat.

Trump endorsed Nordone earlier that day, expressing his support in a social media post. Senate Majority Leader John Thune welcomed her appointment, saying she would carry on Lindsey's legacy and that he looked forward to welcoming her to the Senate. Rep. Nancy Mace also backed the decision, tweeting: "This was the right decision by Gov. McMaster. This is what Senator Graham would have wanted and we trust she will lead for South Carolina in these next few months, just as Lindsey did."

Who is Darline Graham Nordone?

Nordone, a mother of two, is a commissioner at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and a trained optician. She previously worked at Clemson University and the state's Department of Employment and Workforce. She serves as president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind and sits on the state's Workforce Development Board.

After losing both parents as a teenager, she shared a close bond with her brother, who became a father figure. She introduced him at his 2015 presidential campaign launch, and he later said she would be an excellent representative of the U.S. in a future administration.

Crypto Push Honors Graham

On Monday, Trump urged the Senate to pass the CLARITY Act in honor of the late Graham, calling him a strong supporter of the crypto bill. Trump also warned that China is seeking dominance in cryptocurrency and AI, urging lawmakers not to let Beijing gain the upper hand. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) backed Trump's call, praised Graham's support for U.S. leadership and digital assets, urged Congress to pass the CLARITY Act, and noted Graham previously voted for the GENIUS Act, the stablecoin law enacted last year.

A preliminary medical examiner's report found that Graham died from an aortic dissection caused by cardiovascular disease. The Republican senator and close ally of Trump was 71 when he died on Saturday evening. On Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI is assisting local law enforcement and has deployed all necessary resources.