Graham death sets up succession drama in South Carolina

The sudden death of US Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina sets up a succession drama in the deeply conservative state that risks throwing the race into chaos less than four months before the midterm elections.

Graham died Saturday after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said, two days after his 71st birthday. He had been set to face off against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in November. 

South Carolina Republican Governor Henry McMaster can name a replacement for the remainder of Graham’s term. State election law then calls for a special primary election, creating an intra-party scramble that could help give Andrews an edge. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had a candidate in mind to take over the seat but would not publicly name them because it was “just too soon” after Graham’s........

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