U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina passed away on Saturday, July 11, at the age of 71, following a brief and sudden illness. Graham’s office announced his passing, and his family has requested privacy as they mourn his death.

Senate Career

Graham served in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades after first winning election in 2002. He was serving his fourth term and had recently secured the Republican nomination as he sought reelection to a fifth term. During his Senate career, Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee and served on several influential committees, including Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works.

Before joining the Senate, he represented South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House after his election in 1994. Graham also spent 33 years serving in the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve, retiring as a colonel in 2015.

Tributes

President Donald Trump paid tribute to Graham on social media, describing him as a ‘true American patriot’ and praising his years of public service. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster also honored Graham, calling him a devoted advocate for both the state and the nation.

Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.