The reelection campaign of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday, has more than $2.3 million in leftover funds, according to a financial statement the campaign committee filed Wednesday with federal regulators.
The campaign has several options on how to handle the remaining money, including not using it at all.
It can give as much money as it wants to national party committees, such as the Republican National Committee or the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
It can donate, within contribution limits, to another federal campaign committee. It can also donate the money to a recognized charitable organization or start a new charity with the funds, per federal rules.
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Within the next six months, it can also pay off remaining campaign costs, such as staff salaries or moving costs.
Another option is disgorging the money into the U.S. Treasury’s general fund.
Or, it can do nothing, as some former lawmakers have chosen to do.
It’s unclear how the former senator’s campaign plans to use its funds; the Graham campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Graham died from an aortal tear caused by cardiovascular disease, the Washington, D.C. medical examiner found.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster quickly appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to carry out the remainder of Graham’s term. She was sworn in Tuesday, making her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.
But she’s likely to only serve out the remainder of Graham’s term, which ends in January. Several other Republicans are expected to vie in a special Republican primary next month to replace Graham on the November ballot.
The issue of what to do with remaining campaign funds has come up several times this year because candidates have unexpectedly dropped out of races or died while in office.
Sen. Mitch McConnell reported having $7.3 million in campaign funds as of June 30, according to a finance report his campaign committee filed Wednesday. The 84-year-old Republican senator, who is not seeking reelection, has been hospitalized for weeks, and his condition has been the subject of significant — and sometimes wild — speculation.
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