President Trump said on Monday that Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina should appoint Senator Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to finish his Senate term, after Mr. Graham’s death on Saturday.
Mr. Trump wrote in a social media post that appointing Ms. Nordone “would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”
Under South Carolina law, the governor can immediately appoint a temporary replacement to complete Mr. Graham’s Senate term. Mr. McMaster, a Republican, has called a news conference at 4 p.m. to announce his pick.
Mr. Graham and Ms. Nordone shared a close bond. Both of their parents died in a 15-month stretch, leaving Mr. Graham, at 22, to care for his younger sister, who was then 13. She introduced him when he launched a long-shot Republican presidential bid in the 2016 election.
Ms. Nordone did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Mr. Graham, who was 71 and running for re-election when he died, was set to be on the ballot in November as a strong favorite to win a fifth Senate term.
Now, a special Republican primary election will be held on Aug. 11. Candidates will be able to file to run between July 21 and July 28. If no candidate wins a majority, a primary runoff will be held on Aug. 25.
Whomever Mr. McMaster appoints as interim senator could choose to compete in the special Republican primary or simply serve out the remainder of Mr. Graham’s term.
The names of several Republicans members of Congress from South Carolina have been raised as potential contenders; Mark Lynch, a businessman who finished second in the Republican Senate primary in June, has already said he intends to run.
South Carolina leans heavily conservative, so the new Republican nominee would be strongly favored to win in November. The Democratic nominee is Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.
Mike Baker contributed reporting.
