President Donald Trump said Sunday he has a preferred candidate to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham but will not yet reveal the identity.
The vacancy in the U.S. Senate creates a critical opening in a key seat following the death of a long-time political ally and influential lawmaker.
Speaking with Kristen Welker during an interview with NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ in a Washington, D.C. studio, Trump addressed the succession process hours after Graham died Saturday night [1], [2]. The senator was 71 [3].
Trump said he has already identified a potential successor. "I have somebody that I like," Trump said [1]. He described the individual as "somebody great" [4].
Despite having a choice, the president said it is currently too early to make a public announcement. "It’s too soon to say who," Trump said [1].
Trump said he is withholding the name of the candidate out of respect for his friend, the late senator [1], [2]. The timing of the comments comes shortly after the news of Graham's death became public [2].
The process for filling the seat will depend on state laws and the timing of the appointment or special election. Trump's early identification of a preferred candidate suggests a desire for a seamless transition that maintains the political alignment of the seat.
“"I have somebody that I like."”
The president's quick identification of a successor indicates an intent to maintain a specific ideological grip on the seat. By signaling a preference before the formal mourning period has concluded, Trump is establishing a benchmark for the appointment process, potentially limiting the field of viable candidates to those with his explicit backing.
