Rep. Smith, NJGOP mourn loss of Sen. Lindsey Graham
Condolences pour in from Dean of the New Jersey congressional delegation and the state GOP after the South Carolina republican died Saturday evening, weeks after winning his primary for a fifth term.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who spent more than three decades in national politics and became one of the Senate’s most prominent voices on foreign policy, died Saturday evening after a brief and sudden illness, his office announced. He was 71.
Graham’s office did not disclose a cause of death. In a statement posted to social media early Sunday, the office said the senator’s family appreciates prayers and asked for privacy. Multiple outlets reported that emergency personnel had responded to a cardiac arrest call at Graham’s Capitol Hill home.
Graham died two days after his 71st birthday and roughly a month after winning the June 9 Republican primary in South Carolina, where he was seeking a fifth term. On Friday, he had announced an agreement with the Trump administration to advance a package of Russia sanctions — among the final acts of a career defined by hawkish foreign policy.
New Jersey Reaction
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the state’s senior Republican in Congress, issued a statement Sunday mourning his colleague of more than two decades on Capitol Hill.
“Lindsey Graham was an indefatigable and courageous fighter for the right to life, human rights, liberty and freedom. He was articulate and persuasive and brought both incisive candor and humor to debate. He was a national treasure and will be deeply missed. My wife, Marie, and I offer our deepest condolences to his family.”
— Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) (via statement)
The New Jersey Republican State Committee also paid tribute, pointing to Graham’s military service and his tenure in the Senate:
“From serving as an Air Force colonel to becoming a steadfast conservative voice in the United States Senate, Senator Lindsey Graham dedicated his life to serving our nation. His decades of public service reflected a deep commitment to America, its security, and its values. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who mourn his passing. Thank you for your service, Senator.”
— New Jersey Republican State Committee (via Facebook)
A Career That Spanned Five Presidencies
Born July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham was the son of a family that ran a bar, pool hall and liquor store, and was the first in his family to attend college. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina, then joined the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate. His military career spanned 33 years across active duty, the South Carolina Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, from which he retired in 2015 at the rank of colonel.
Graham entered elected office in 1992 with a term in the South Carolina House of Representatives, then won a U.S. House seat in 1994 as part of the Republican wave that ended four decades of Democratic control. He rose to national prominence in 1999 as one of the House managers who prosecuted the impeachment case against President Bill Clinton before the Senate.
In 2002, Graham was elected to the Senate seat held for nearly half a century by Strom Thurmond. Over four terms he became a fixture of the chamber’s foreign policy debates — a consistent advocate for American military strength, a longtime hawk on Iran and Russia, and, for years, the closest ally of the late Sen. John McCain. He chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021, presiding over the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, and later served as the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee. He was also a staunch advocate for the pro-life movement and for the unborn.
Graham mounted a brief campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination and was, at the time, a sharp critic of Donald Trump. He went on to become one of the president’s closest allies in the Senate — a frequent golf partner and adviser on foreign affairs, including on Iran and Russia policy. Last year, he publicly backed the president’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites.
His death leaves a vacancy in a Senate seat he had held since 2003. Under South Carolina law, the governor will appoint a successor to serve until a special election.
Graham’s office has not announced funeral arrangements.
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