How Lindsey Graham’s Senate Seat Will Be Filled

The vacancy could also be significant for Democrats’ prospects in the mid-term elections this November.

Republicans will need to choose a new Senate nominee to take on Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician whose campaign has focused on healthcare, abortion rights, and gun safety. Before Graham’s death, the state was not considered a battleground. The last time a Democrat was elected to the Senate in South Carolina was in 1998. But Graham’s death adds uncertainty to the race.

Under South Carolina law, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster can appoint a temporary replacement to serve the remainder of Graham’s term, which ends Jan. 3. Like Graham, McMaster is a close ally of Trump.

On Sunday, Trump said he had someone in mind that “would be great” to fill Graham’s seat, but that it is “too soon” to publicly name them.

McMaster could fill the seat himself, but he would first have to resign from the governorship. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette would then serve as governor for the remainder of McMaster’s term, which ends on Jan. 13, and she could appoint McMaster to the Senate seat. But doing so has historically been a losing game in the long run. In 1965, South Carolina Gov. Donald Russell resigned after Sen. Olin Johnston died, allowing Lt. Gov Robert McNair to appoint him to the Senate. Russell then lost the 1966 Democratic primary to Fritz Hollings.