President Donald Trump is set to welcome Darline Graham, who has been chosen to fill the vacancy left by the sudden death of his brother, Senator Lindsey Graham.
Meanwhile, South Carolina is looking forward to the state’s special election to permanently fill the seat.
Why Trump is meeting newly appointed Sen. Darline Graham today
According to The Guardian, President Trump is meeting Darline Graham at 9:30 a.m. local time in the Oval Office. The latter has been chosen by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to finish the current term for her brother, which expires on January 3.
Darline was sworn in just five days after her brother died in what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness” just hours after his return from Ukraine. The chief medical examiner has identified the cause to be an aortic dissection associated with cardiovascular disease.
“He was always there for me,” Darline said. “Now, I will be there for him,” Darline said, in tribute to her brother, who had been a source of constant support right from childhood and had been her legal guardian after their parents died when she was young. She also said that it would be an honor for her to complete her brother’s term in office. She also vowed to support the President through her work in the Senate.
“I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States,” she said, adding that she believed this was what Lindsey Graham would have wanted.
Lindsey Graham had secured the Republican nomination and was campaigning for his fifth term. His passing has necessitated a special election to select a new senator by the South Carolina Republican Party on Aug 11. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November midterm election.
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