Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina passed away at the age of 71 due to an aortic dissection, prompting tributes from across Washington. Just over 24 hours after his death, his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, has emerged as a potential caretaker to fill his Senate seat.

President Donald Trump expressed support for Nordone's appointment on Truth Social, stating, "This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly."

Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is also backing Nordone for the role. Sources told Fox News that Scott has been in discussions with her about serving out the remainder of Graham's term as a caretaker.

Nordone, speaking to the New York Post shortly after Trump's announcement, said, "Actually, I’m just kind of like devastated right now."

Reflecting on her relationship with her brother, Nordone shared in a campaign spot titled "Darline," "My parents, they were loving people and cared about us, but Lindsey was always the one that took care of me and helped me with my homework. If I was sick, he gave me my medicine."

The bond between the siblings was strengthened by past tragedies, with Lindsey Graham described as "kind of like a brother, a father and a mother rolled into one."

Lindsey Graham was last publicly seen with Nordone during a television interview at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sources