South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham dies in office, triggering a process to replace him in the U.S. Senate. Multiple outlets report that South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is responsible for appointing a temporary successor to serve out Graham’s term. Graham’s term is set to end on 3 January, and the appointed senator would fill the seat until then.
Ahead of the appointment, President Donald Trump publicly signals that he may have a preferred candidate for the replacement. Fox News and Al Jazeera both report that Trump hints he is considering someone he thinks would be a good fit, while noting that the final decision rests with the governor’s appointment.
Separately, the political timeline includes a special election and primary event tied to filling the seat on the November ballot. The Guardian reports an August 11 special primary election, with a November vote following, and says the calendar benefits candidates with strong name recognition and institutional support. The outlets also note that the situation is creating a scramble within the Republican Party as potential candidates position themselves for the special election.
