Republicans scramble to find a replacement for Sen. Lindsey Graham ahead of the midterm elections

2026 ElectionRepublicans scramble to find a replacement for Sen. Lindsey Graham ahead of the midterm elections President Donald Trump told NBC News that he has someone in mind that he’d like to see replace the late South Carolina senator but declined to name them.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleTrump says ‘I have somebody that I like’ to succeed Lindsey Graham but ‘too soon’ to say who02:34Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJuly 12, 2026, 10:54 AM EDTBy Alexandra Marquez, Frank Thorp V and Melanie ZanonaHours after GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, President Donald Trump on Sunday said he had a preferred replacement in mind but declined to share a name out of respect for Graham.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don’t want to say it now because it’s just, you know, it’s too soon with Lindsey,” the president told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” “I don’t want to even talk about anybody, but I do have somebody that I think is really good.” Trump’s remarks came as Republicans are starting to scramble to find a temporary and permanent replacement for Graham, who in June won the GOP Senate primary in South Carolina and was expected to cruise to re-election to a fifth term in November.Per South Carolina state law, GOP Gov. Henry McMaster must appoint someone to take over Graham’s post until early January. The law also dictates the process for an election to permanently replace Graham. A special Republican primary election will be held on Aug. 11 and candidates who wish to run for Senate can file to run for the seat beginning on July 21.Add NBC News to GoogleTim Scott remembers how Lindsey Graham ‘committed to the people he loved’: Full interview05:39Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who served alongside Graham, said Sunday that he did not have any insight into who McMaster may appoint to fill the seat.“I do know that ther...