South Carolina

We are now learning this Tuesday that Sen. Darline Graham is projected to win the South Carolina Republican primary runoff to replace her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. This comes after Lindsey Graham, 71, died earlier this year after serving in the Senate for decades representing South Carolina. LiveNOW’s Andy Mac is speaking with Terell Wright from The Wall Street Journal as reactions began to come in after The Associated Press called the race after Darline Graham’s victory. 

We are now learning this Tuesday that Senator Darline Graham of South Carolina has advanced to a runoff election for the Republican nomination for the seat. She recently replaced her late brother, Lindsey Graham and is now fighting to keep the seat in Republican control. Currently there is a close race for who she will face in an August 25th runoff election that will determine who makes it to November. 

Businessman Mark Lynch, who ran against Lindsey Graham in the recent June primary, has announced his candidacy for the now open Senate seat in South Carolina. This comes as Rep. Ralph Norman says he will also run for the seat in the wake of Sen. Graham’s death. LiveNOW’s Alexandra Goldberg is speaking with GOP candidate Mark Lynch as he explains why he would be the best choice to follow in Sen. Graham’s footsteps in Washington, D.C. 

Sen. Mitch McConnell said Sunday that a fall led to his hospitalization, marking his first public explanation of his condition after weeks of speculation. McConnell, 84, said in a statement that he has undergone a battery of tests as doctors try to determine what led to his fall. The statement came in the hours after Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death had been revealed to the public. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is speaking with politics reporter Savannah Behrmann as voters begin to wonder if a new batch of lawmakers are starting to emerge in Washington, D.C. 

We are watching this Monday as South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced that Sen. Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, will finish his term following his death over the weekend. President Donald Trump recently urged McMaster to appoint Nordone to fulfill the rest of Graham’s term. "To Lindsey, I miss you more than I can even put into words," Nordone said, emotion rising in her voice. "But I'm going to do this. I got it." 

We are learning more this Sunday as fellow elected officials are remembering Sen. Lindsey Graham. Sen. Graham's office released a statement announcing that he died following a "brief and sudden" illness. President Donald Trump called Graham a "true American Patriot" and said his administration is already working on arrangements to honor the longtime senator. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is speaking with Hans Nichols, a political reporter with Axios, as lawmakers prepare for what comes next after the South Carolina Republican's sudden passing. 

LiveNOW’s Anna Marsick is speaking with Dr. Gibbs Knotts, Provost and Professor of Political Science at Coastal Carolina University, as we learn more about the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. The South Carolina Republican died at the age of 71 following a "brief and sudden" illness. His office said his family "appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."