Darline Graham’s inherited Senate seat revives the ‘widow’s mandate’ with a sibling twist

U.S. Sen. Darline Graham's appointment belongs to a long American tradition of family succession in politics. AP Photo/Meg Kinnard South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s July 2026 appointment of Darline Graham to fill the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term – and her subsequent decision to run for the seat – may seem unusual. After all, Darline Graham has no experience in elected office and was virtually unknown outside of the small circle of people who knew her from her…