ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Updated:

Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, was appointed on Monday by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of Graham's term, which ends in early January. 

Graham Nordone will be sworn in at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News, less than 24 hours after her appointment.

“Today, under the law, it’s my duty and honor to name someone to serve in the place of this irresistible man, this irreplaceable man, this extraordinary man, for the remainder of his term,” McMaster, also a Republican, said at a news conference. “Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. It’s my honor to ask his little sister Darline Graham to finish his work for him now.”

Graham Nordone thanked McMaster during a news conference for selecting her. "It is such an honor. Lindsey has always been there for me, and now I will be there for him," she said.

Trump publicly recommends Graham Nordone to replace brother as senator

US President Donald Trump had recommended Graham Nordone to serve as the state's interim senator, calling the appointment "a fabulous tribute" to the longtime Republican lawmaker in a post on Truth Social.

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stands with his sister Darline Graham Nordone after formally announcing his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in his hometown Central, South Carolina.
Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stands with his sister Darline Graham Nordone after formally announcing his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in his hometown Central, South Carolina. (credit: REUTERS/CHRIS ALUKA BERRY)

"I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina. This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!," the president said in his Truth post.

Graham, one of Trump's closest allies in the Senate, died over the weekend after a brief illness. Trump has repeatedly paid tribute to the South Carolina Republican, praising his longtime ally's service and urging McMaster to appoint Nordone as his interim replacement.

Graham, who had been seeking re-election for his fifth term, left a void in South Carolina's Senate seats, with Republicans from the state finding themselves clambering for the suddenly empty position.

A special election will be held in August to pick a new Republican nominee to fill Graham's seat.