Darline Graham Nordone was sworn in Tuesday afternoon as the interim U.S. Senator from South Carolina [1].
The appointment ensures that South Carolina maintains full representation in the Senate following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died at age 71 [1, 2].
Nordone took the oath of office in the Old Senate Chamber at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. [1, 3]. The ceremony occurred on July 14, 2026, three days after the death of her brother [4].
Nordone will serve as the interim representative for the remainder of the term, which lasts approximately six months [5]. The seat became vacant after the death of the senior senator on July 11, 2026 [4].
While some reports have described the event as a mock ceremony, official records indicate Nordone was formally sworn in to fill the vacancy [1, 3]. She is the sister of the late senator [1].
This transition allows the state to maintain its voting power in the Senate until a permanent successor is determined. The appointment follows a period of sudden vacancy in one of South Carolina's two Senate seats.
“Darline Graham Nordone was sworn in Tuesday afternoon as the interim U.S. Senator from South Carolina”
The appointment of Darline Graham Nordone serves as a temporary bridge to maintain South Carolina's legislative presence in the U.S. Senate. Because the remaining term is short, roughly six months, this move prevents a prolonged vacancy while the state determines the process for a permanent replacement.
