Hours after the passing of GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, President Donald Trump stated that he had a preferred replacement in mind but declined to share a name out of respect for Graham. Republicans are starting to scramble to find both a temporary and a permanent replacement for Graham, who in June won the GOP Senate primary in South Carolina and was expected to cruise to re-election to a fifth term in November.

Replacement Process

Per South Carolina state law, GOP Gov. Henry McMaster must appoint someone to take over Graham’s post until early January. The law also dictates the process for an election to permanently replace Graham. A special Republican primary election will be held on Aug. 11 and candidates who wish to run for the Senate can file to run for the seat beginning on July 21.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who served alongside Graham, said Sunday that he did not have any insight into whom McMaster may appoint to fill the seat. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is strongly considering running for the now-vacant seat, according to a source familiar with her thinking.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.