Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died on Saturday, July 23, 2024, at the age of 71 [1, 2].

Graham was a veteran presence in the U.S. Senate and a key figure in Republican politics, making his sudden death a significant loss for his party's leadership in Washington.

According to his office, the senator died after a brief and sudden illness [1]. A preliminary exam revealed the cause of death as an aortic dissection resulting from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease [2, 4].

Emergency services responded to Graham's residence in Washington, D.C., where responders performed CPR [1, 3]. He was subsequently transported to George Washington University Hospital [1].

Donald Trump said Graham was "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known" [1].

His office confirmed the medical findings, saying that Graham died of an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease according to the preliminary exam [2].

“The Senator died after a brief and sudden illness.”

The loss of a high-profile senator like Graham creates a vacancy in a critical South Carolina seat and removes a seasoned legislative strategist from the Republican caucus. Because the death was sudden and caused by a cardiovascular event, the focus will likely shift toward the political succession process in his home state.