Darline Graham, the sister of the late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, was sworn in by the Senate on Tuesday afternoon — filling the seat just three days after her brother’s death.

Appointment and Background

Graham was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday to fill the remaining months of her brother’s current term. A separate special election will be held next month to pick a new Republican nominee in the general election for Lindsey Graham’s seat, as he had been seeking a fifth term this year.

Darline Graham, who will be the state’s first female senator, has not previously held public office. She has worked as an optician and at various state agencies, including the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and the Department of Employment and Workforce.

Family Ties and Support

She said on Monday that her older brother, who raised her after their parents died, had always been there for her. ‘And now, I will be there for him,’ she said.

Lindsey Graham, who was not married and did not have children, was exceptionally close to his sister. He became her legal guardian after their parents died, when he was 22 and she was 13.

Reaction and Next Steps

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said before the swearing in Tuesday that he knows Darline Graham ‘will carry on Lindsey’s tireless service to South Carolina.’ A special primary election will be held on August 11, with any necessary runoff to follow two weeks later.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.