The political future of one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate seats is already becoming clearer less than a day after the sudden death of one of the Republican Party’s most influential lawmakers.
With South Carolina now preparing for both an interim appointment and a special election, prominent Republicans are beginning to weigh their next moves as tributes continue pouring in for the late senator.
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Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said Sunday that she is open to running for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, while emphasizing that her immediate focus remains on honoring her longtime colleague.
Appearing on Fox News Live, Mace was asked whether she was considering a campaign for the seat.
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She said she was still processing Graham’s death but acknowledged the possibility had crossed her mind.
“I’m never going to shut the door,” Mace said.
“I love the state of South Carolina. You only live once, and you know, if the people of South Carolina would like me to serve in that capacity, I’ll certainly take a look at it. But right now, I just want to focus on him and his legacy.”
Mace’s comments came hours after Graham’s office announced that the senator died Saturday evening at the age of 71 following what it described as a “brief and sudden illness.” His office did not disclose a cause of death and asked for privacy for his family.
Graham had returned to Washington only a day earlier after a trip to Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirmed his support for Kyiv in its war against Russia.
Although no official cause of death has been released, emergency dispatch audio from Saturday referenced a response to Graham’s Washington residence for a reported cardiac arrest. His office has not confirmed those reports.
President Donald Trump led the tributes Sunday morning.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!”
Later Sunday, Trump ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff through next Saturday in Graham’s honor, according to the White House.
Zelenskyy was among the first foreign leaders to respond to the news.
“Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
“Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”
During her interview, Mace also revealed she had already spoken with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster about the process of filling the vacancy until voters elect a new senator.
She said she jokingly suggested that McMaster appoint himself to serve as the interim senator.
🚨 NOW: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) says she would “take a look” at running for Lindsey Graham’s open U.S. Senate seat if people want her to, but right now, it’s time to mourn
“Right now…we’re all in shock. We’re mourning his loss.”
“If the people of South Carolina would like me… pic.twitter.com/pQzxgp7Sn7
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 12, 2026
Under South Carolina law, the governor appoints a temporary replacement to serve until a special election is held. The special election is expected to coincide with the November general election, with the winner serving the remainder of Graham’s term.
Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Over more than two decades in the Senate, he became one of Congress’ leading voices on national security and foreign policy and, in recent years, one of President Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill.
With Graham’s passing, attention is now shifting from mourning one of South Carolina’s longest-serving senators to what is expected to become one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
