Lindsey Graham Has Died at 71

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime senator and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday at the age of 71, his office announced.

The South Carolina senator “passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” his office said in a statement.

Trump posted about the death soon after.

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” he wrote on Truth Social. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”

Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives. He often pushed for more military intervention abroad, with a bipartisan streak on issues like immigration reform and — as recently as last week — sanctions on Russia.

Graham ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 against Trump. At the time, the senator was adamantly opposed to Trump, who he called a “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.”

In the years since, though, Graham became one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, helping push for his policies. He had also been one of Trump’s most public advocates, including as a near-constant presence on TV. He had been due to appear on “Meet the Press” Sunday morning, host Kristen Welker said.

Graham’s death leaves an open seat in South Carolina and a narrower majority for Republicans in the Senate. Before Graham’s death, Republicans held 53 seats, and Sen. Mitch McConnell has been out due to health issues.

Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster can appoint a temporary replacement to serve until a special election under state law. In a short statement, McMaster called Graham “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America — and a loyal and steadfast friend.”

Graham was running for reelection this year and had defeated multiple opponents in the primary. He was set to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November.