Senate confirms Graham has passed away
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has passed away. Reports indicate he suffered an aortic rupture on Saturday evening, which might have been worsened by his recent trip to Ukraine and a family history of heart disease.
Status of his seat
Senator Graham’s seat has been filled temporarily by his sister, Darlene Graham Nordone. A primary to replace him on the midterm ballot is set to take place at a breakneck speed.
Impact on the GOP
Political analyst Rick Wilson, a former Republican political consultant, stated that Graham’s departure is likely to have severe consequences for the GOP. Wilson explained that Graham was a key figure on the Senate Judiciary Committee and acted as “the glue” in helping Republicans muster votes for legislation and judicial confirmations, specifically mentioning the votes to confirm Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
Wilson suggested that without Graham, Donald Trump might not have the support in the Senate to get Todd Blanche confirmed as attorney general, noting that Graham had bipartisan relationships and could pull Democrats on some big things.
Political outlook in South Carolina
While South Carolina is a staunchly Republican state, Wilson suggested that the battle to replace Graham as the GOP’s nominee could offer Democrats a shot at winning the seat. He noted that likely candidates lack Graham’s name ID in the state and may not get voters to give them a pass on certain shortcomings. He suggested that if the coming primary is ugly enough, it could turn voters against the Republican side of the ticket and give Democrats unexpected momentum.
Role as a messenger
Graham was known for his willingness to speak with the press, often taking on the role of a messenger for Trump, translating and spinning his agenda into something more coherent and palatable.
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