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"Senator Lindsey Graham dedicated his life to serving our state and our country. His passing is a tremendous loss," Norman said.
Fellow South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson expressed deep shock, highlighting Graham's extensive military and legislative career as an Air Force veteran and longtime lawmaker.
"The country has lost a beloved leader — and I have lost a respected colleague and friend. Lindsey will be missed," Wilson wrote.
A Complicated Political Journey
Before becoming a close ally, Graham had been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary.
The South Carolina politician frequently used harsh language to describe Trump during that highly contested election cycle, calling him a "jackass," "a race-baiting bigot," and "the most flawed nominee in the history of the Republican party."
He famously predicted severe electoral consequences on social media: "If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed … and we will deserve it."
The senator briefly broke from the president following the events at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, saying "count me out.
Enough is enough."
The passing of Graham marks the final departure of a famous legislative trio in the United States Senate.
Historical records note that Graham, Joe Lieberman, and John McCain were affectionately known as the "three amigos" for their tight friendship and hawkish foreign policy stances.
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South Carolina state law requires a special primary election on August 11 to fill the ballot vacancy for November's election.
