PODCAST:
July 13, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson discuss Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death with University of Michigan professor Ken Kollman, exploring his political legacy and the potential future of the Republican Party.
SOUTH CAROLINA ~ It was revealed that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died from an “aortic dissection,” a tear in the main artery that takes blood from the heart, at the age of 71.
His office issued a statement saying the Senator’s death was sudden and unexpected. Graham served in the U.S. Senate for over two decades, during which he became known as a fierce foreign policy hawk who advocated for military campaigns in Iran and Iraq, while voicing unwavering U.S. support for Israel and Ukraine.
He was also defined by his close relationship with the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona and with President Donald Trump.
Graham’s sudden death has sent the GOP into a mad dash to find a replacement to fill his seat. Not only will GOP Gov. Henry McMaster have to pick a replacement to serve the rest of his term, which ends Jan. 3, but also hold a special primary election in August to pick a new party nominee for the general midterm elections this year.
