Darline Graham sworn in as South Carolina’s first woman senator

Darline Graham, the younger sister of late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, has officially been sworn into the US Senate after her brother's sudden death, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.The 62-year-old was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to complete the remainder of Lindsey Graham's term, which runs until January 2027. A special primary election is scheduled for August 11, with voters set to choose a candidate for November's general election to fill the seat for the next six-year term.Who is Darline Graham?Although Darline Graham has never held elected office before, she has spent decades serving the people of South Carolina.She has worked extensively with people with disabilities and previously served as a commissioner on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, earning a reputation for her public service rather than partisan politics.Raised by her brother after family tragedyDarline and Lindsey Graham shared an unusually close bond that was forged through tragedy.After their parents died just 15 months apart, Darline was orphaned at the age of 13 in 1976. Lindsey Graham, then a college student and Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) member, became her legal guardian and took on the responsibility of raising his younger sister.In a 2015 interview with CNN, Darline recalled how her brother had always looked after her."Even when my parents were alive, they worked really long, hard hours running a small business. So even then, he was a caregiver to me," she said.Sworn in with bipartisan supportDarline Graham was sworn in on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by nearly the entire Republican conference, along with several Democratic senators.According to CNN, she briefly spoke to reporters after taking the oath, saying, "Hanging in there, appreciate you being here," when asked how she was coping following her brother's death.The oath of office was administered by Senator Chuck Grassley, while Senators Katie Britt and Tim Scott escorted her to the dais. After the ceremony, the Senate chamber gave her a standing ovation before she was led to her late brother's desk.Among those in attendance were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Jared Kushner, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and several members of South Carolina's congressional delegation.Lindsey Graham died at 71Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican senator from South Carolina and a close ally of President Donald Trump, died over the weekend at the age of 71.A preliminary finding by the Washington, DC, medical examiner said he died following an aortic dissection.A tradition seen before in the SenateDarline Graham is not the first family member to temporarily fill the Senate seat of a deceased relative.Throughout US history, governors have occasionally appointed spouses or close relatives to complete an unfinished Senate term. Among the notable examples are Muriel Humphrey, who succeeded her husband, former Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Hattie Caraway, who went on to become the first woman elected to the Senate in her own right after initially replacing her late husband.With her appointment, Darline Graham now steps into one of the most high-profile political roles in South Carolina, carrying forward her brother's Senate term while the state prepares to elect his long-term successor later this year.Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.