WASHINGTON, D.C., July 13: Veteran Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died at the age of 71 following a sudden illness, according to his office. Preliminary findings from the medical examiner indicate that Graham died from an aortic dissection, a serious condition involving a tear in the body’s main artery.
Graham, one of the most influential Republican lawmakers in Congress, had served in the U.S. Senate since 2003 after previously representing South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout his career, he was a prominent voice on national security, foreign policy, judicial appointments, and defense issues.
A close ally of President Donald Trump in recent years, Graham had recently returned from a visit to Ukraine before his unexpected death. President Trump and leaders from both political parties paid tribute to the longtime senator, praising his decades of public service and commitment to the nation.
Graham’s death leaves a vacancy in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate delegation and is expected to have significant political implications in Washington, where he chaired the Senate Budget Committee and served on several key committees. South Carolina’s governor is expected to appoint an interim replacement until a special election is held, in accordance with state law.
His passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from lawmakers, foreign leaders, and supporters across the political spectrum, who remembered him for his decades of public service, military background, and influential role in shaping U.S. foreign and domestic policy.
