Lindsey Graham

The District of Columbia’s medical examiner issued preliminary findings that Graham died from a tear in his aorta after suffering from cardiovascular disease.

Darline Graham Nordone, Graham’s younger sister, was sworn in by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) to fill her brother’s seat in an interim role.

Lindsey became his sister’s legal guardian when he was 22 and she was 13 after both siblings lost their parents to tragic illnesses within a 15-month period. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) suggested Wednesday that Nordone should run in the South Carolina special GOP primary to become her brother’s permanent replacement.

President Donald Trump also endorsed Nordone to replace Graham in the Senate on Friday.

“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” he posted on Truth Social. “Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”

Graham’s family has a history of heart disease. His father, Florence James Graham, died of a heart attack at 68.

​The long-serving senator represented South Carolina from 2003 until his death. Graham was known for his role in foreign policy and served as a key Republican in securing foreign defense spending.

The late senator placed bipartisan pressure on China, arguing the country was a military and economic threat to American interests. A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee until his death, Graham provided military aid for Ukraine and issued sanctions against Russia.

Graham was also a staunch supporter of Israel.

“Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. We have no better friend than Lindsey,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X July 12. “He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world. Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.”

​Though initially a vocal critic, Graham later became a close ally of Trump. The president described the longtime senator’s loss as deeply personal.​

“He’s a tough one to lose,” Trump said. “He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough, actually. He was such an advocate.”

TRUMP ENDORSES DARLINE GRAHAM NORDONE FOR FULL TERM

The president praised Graham’s defense of Brett Kavanaugh during the Supreme Court justice’s contentious nomination process, and said it was a standout moment of Graham’s Senate career.

“I think his finest moment was his defense of Brett Kavanaugh, who’s a terrific guy and was treated very, very unfairly by the Democrats,” he said. “He felt strongly about Brett, and he did it from the heart, and it turned that whole thing around.”