One of South Carolina’s longest-serving senators, Lindsey Graham, passed away at 71 in the late hours of July 11.
His office released a statement that Graham died from a “brief and sudden illness,” and has since clarified that he died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
He was found suffering from cardiac arrest the night of July 11 in his Washington, D.C. home, and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Graham, a native of Central, South Carolina, served as a politician for 34 years: first in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1992 to 1994, then in the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. Following his terms in the lower chamber, he was elected to the Senate — a role he served in until his passing.
The senator firmly believed in the alliance between the U.S. and overseas partners. Several world leaders on Sunday expressed their thoughts on Graham’s passing and the impact he left.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Graham was “a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the country “will remember him as a steadfast friend, a strong supporter of NATO’s eastern flank, and an unwavering advocate for Ukraine.”
And to Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže, Graham was “among the strongest supporters of NATO and transatlantic relations (and) assistance to Ukraine in countering Russian aggression.”
She added that Graham was respected and thanked by many across Europe for his commitment to the values of democracy, security and international partnership.
“His voice will be missed, but his legacy will endure,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday tapped Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the rest of his term until November’s midterm election.
Caleb Gurley is a senior reporter for The Tiger. He can be reached at [email protected].
