Sen. Darline Graham just inherited an unconventional asset from her deceased brother, former Sen. Lindsey Graham: his federal leadership PAC.
Federal records reviewed by NOTUS now list Darline Graham as Fund for America’s Future’s sponsor. Filings from earlier this year listed Lindsey Graham as the PAC’s sponsor.
Such a sibling-to-sibling transfer of a senator’s political action committee is decidedly uncommon.
“There’s little official guidance from the FEC specifically addressing the transfer of a leadership PAC after the death of its sponsoring lawmaker,” Michael Beckel, the director of money in politics reform at Issue One, a nonpartisan political reform organization, told NOTUS. “In practice, most leadership PACs associated with deceased or retired lawmakers are eventually wound down or terminated rather than transferred to another politician.”
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After Lindsey Graham died last month at the age of 71, the treasurer of the leadership PAC — long-time Republican operative Cabell Hobbs — could have moved to wind down the committee and dispose of any remaining funds by donating to certain political committees and charitable organizations or refunding donors, according to FEC rules.
Hobbs declined to comment on the matter when reached by phone Wednesday.
Darline Graham’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sponsorship transfer.
Although Darline Graham inheriting both her late brother’s Senate seat and leadership fund is unique, it is “not surprising” because “the stars aligned in this case,” Beckel said.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother’s term, and she decided to seek a full term after President Donald Trump told her to run.
During the 2026 election cycle, Fund for America’s Future has raised more than $632,000 through a variety of donations and cash transfers, FEC records indicate. It ended June with about $70,000 cash on hand after having spent much of what it’s recently raised.
It is incredibly common for lawmakers to have leadership PACs; 96% of the 119th Congress — 511 out of 531 members — have leadership committees, per Issue One. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) is the only senator who does not have this type of PAC. The committees allow lawmakers to donate to other campaigns, which builds their political network.
“Money in the leadership PAC helps you buy friends and allies, so being able to raise money and dole that out to other politicians is a way for her to be helpful to the team,” Beckel said.
But Fund for America’s Future isn’t the only PAC that’s thrown its support behind Darline Graham.
The Security is Strength super PAC, which has been affiliated with several committees supporting Lindsey Graham, has pledged millions to bolster his sister’s campaign. The committee announced a $100,000 digital ad buy for Darline Graham on Wednesday, with TV spots attacking one of her opponents, Rep. Russell Fry (R-South Carolina).
Republicans in South Carolina will have the chance to vote for a new nominee in a special election on Aug. 11, because Lindsey Graham had already won the nomination for his party in June.
Darline Graham is set to face Rep. Ralph Norman, former Rep. and Gov. Mark Sanford, businessman Mark Lynch and Fry in the special election. Whoever advances will be running against Democratic opponent pediatrician Annie Andrews in the general election in November.
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