Ralph Norman

Graham died last weekend from a tear in his artery, according to preliminary findings from a medical examiner. This week, Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), was appointed to fill his seat through January 2027.

Graham had already won the Republican nomination and was slated to face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in November. His sudden death left Palmetto State Republicans scrambling to find replacements in time for the special primary election scheduled to take place on Aug. 11.

Norman is the first to announce his candidacy for the Senate seat. He ran in the South Carolina governor’s primary earlier this year. Others, including Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), are considering entering the race for the high chamber.

“My family and I have a big decision to make soon,” Fry said in a social media post Saturday. “We’d appreciate your prayers. South Carolina deserves strong conservative leadership.”

President Donald Trump has already placed his finger on the scale, endorsing Nordone for a bid at the full Senate term.

NANCY MACE ‘TAKING A LOOK AT’ LINDSEY GRAHAM’S SEAT AFTER SENATOR’S DEATH

“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” he wrote. “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!”

Nordone has not announced whether or not she will run in the special election.