South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, speaking on Newsmax Sunday, remembered Sen. Lindsey Graham as a devoted public servant, mentor, and close friend whose death leaves an enormous void in both South Carolina and national politics.

Wilson told Newsmax's "Wake Up America Weekend" that Graham, who died Saturday night after what was described as a brief and sudden illness, dedicated his life to serving others and earned widespread respect, even from those who disagreed with him politically.

"This is a gut punch for the people of South Carolina," Wilson said. "It's a gut punch for the people of America. Lindsey Graham was such a large and looming figure in American politics."

Wilson said Graham's influence on South Carolina exceeded even his national profile, pointing to his decades of public service in the state Legislature, the U.S. Senate, and the Air National Guard.

"He was someone that while he had his critics and his detractors, he had universal respect," Wilson said. "He had a life of service that was just unmatched."

Wilson, who has served as South Carolina attorney general since 2011, said Graham became both a mentor and a friend after Wilson took office.

At the time, Wilson was serving as a major in the South Carolina Army National Guard while Graham was a colonel in the Air National Guard.

Wilson said Graham offered advice on balancing military service with public office, guidance that helped shape his own career.

"He gave me such great advice. He gave me such encouragement," Wilson said. "I'm now, 16 years later, I'm a colonel in the Army National Guard, still serving today, a lot having to do with the advice that he gave me."

Beyond his public accomplishments, Wilson said Graham was known for his sharp wit and ability to put people at ease.

"He was so funny," Wilson said. "No matter what kind of room he was in, he could walk into a room of hostile people and have them all laughing before he left the room."

Asked about Graham's successor, Wilson said no one could truly fill the senator's shoes but expressed hope that whoever is chosen will continue Graham's legacy of service.

"Lindsey Graham was not just a state political figure. He was a national political figure," Wilson said. "Whoever is fortunate enough to find themselves following behind him...I'm hopeful that they will continue what Sen. Graham has done for the last 30 years serving in Congress here from South Carolina."

Wilson also dismissed social media speculation that his father, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., could be appointed to Graham's Senate seat.

"I talked to him about 30 minutes ago," Wilson said. "Those reports on social media are categorically false. He has no interest in serving in the Senate. That was fake news on social media. He's not interested."

Reflecting on Graham's sudden death just days after the senator celebrated his 71st birthday, Wilson said the loss serves as a reminder of life's fragility.

"This tells you how fleeting life is and how precious it is and how you shouldn't take anything for granted," he said.

Wilson recalled seeing Graham just two weeks ago during a Celebrate Freedom event at First Baptist Church in Columbia, where the senator had thousands of people in attendance laughing.

Before the event, Wilson said the two spoke privately about campaigning together this fall if Wilson is elected governor.

"He was telling me how excited he was for us to be leading the ticket going into November," Wilson said. "I was really looking forward to working alongside him as the next governor of South Carolina. And I will never have that opportunity. That's just really sad. I lost my friend."

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