Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly on Saturday at the age of 71, according to his office. The cause of death was an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died late Saturday at the age of 71. His office reported that he passed away from a brief and sudden illness. The D.C. medical examiner's preliminary examination found that Graham died from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Graham was a long-time advocate for U.S. military action around the world and a staunch ally of President Trump. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and was in the middle of running for his fifth Senate term at the time of his passing. Before politics, Graham had a lengthy military career as a lawyer in the Air Force, and he remained in the Air Force Reserves while in office until his 2015 retirement as a colonel.
President Trump said he spoke to Graham in the 7 p.m. hour Saturday night, and that he understood police were called to his home sometime around 8 p.m. Tributes poured in immediately from Republican leaders and heads of state, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Go Deeper
What was the cause of Senator Graham's death?
Senator Graham died from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the D.C. medical examiner's preliminary examination.
How long did Senator Graham serve in the U.S. Senate?
Senator Graham was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and was in the middle of running for his fifth Senate term at the time of his passing.
What was Senator Graham's background before entering politics?
Before politics, Graham had a lengthy military career as a lawyer in the Air Force, and he remained in the Air Force Reserves while in office until his 2015 retirement as a colonel.
How did President Trump react to Senator Graham's death?
President Trump said he spoke to Graham in the 7 p.m. hour Saturday night, and that he understood police were called to his home sometime around 8 p.m. He also described Graham as 'like a member of the family to me'.
What happens next in filling Senator Graham's seat?
According to reports, Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a replacement for the rest of Graham's current term, with an election to be held next month to replace him on the ballot this November.
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