“Lindsey Graham” by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0

The political world was shocked early Sunday morning by the sudden and completely unexpected passing of longtime South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. He was 71 years old.

According to an official statement released by his office, the senior Republican Senator passed away on Saturday evening, July 11, after a brief, rapid battle with an undisclosed illness.

The brief statement from his office read:

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness. Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Statement from the Office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). pic.twitter.com/CQ5yVvqTH1

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 12, 2026

More from NBC News:

Emergency personnel responded to a call for “cardiac arrest” at Graham’s Capitol Hill home on Saturday night, according to police scanner audio obtained by NBC News.

Photographs reviewed by NBC News show that paramedics carried a person on a stretcher from Graham’s home to an awaiting ambulance. Police cars and fire trucks were also on site.

A top staffer to Graham told NBC News early Sunday that there was no indication the lawmaker was feeling unwell prior to his death. He had been scheduled to appear on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune paid tribute to a “strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe,” while South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Graham had been “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend.”

According to South Carolina law, McMaster will appoint someone to fill Graham’s seat until Jan. 3 of next year.

[…]

Graham was fresh off a trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. He had been scheduled to appear on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

The loss of Senator Graham leaves a massive vacuum in the U.S. Senate and completely shakes up the political landscape in South Carolina, where he was currently running for reelection.

Under South Carolina law, Republican Governor Henry McMaster will be tasked with appointing a temporary replacement to fill the vacant seat until a special election can be held.

This is a developing story.

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