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Who Could Replace Lindsey Graham? 8 Republicans to Watch - Newsweek 2%
By Emma Marsden0%
7/12/2026, 2:29:53 PM
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The death of Senator Lindsey Graham has sparked immediate speculation over who could succeed one of South Carolina ’s most recognizable Republican figures.
Graham, who represented the state in the Senate for more than two decades and was a prominent ally of President Donald Trump , leaves Republicans facing two questions: who will temporarily fill the vacancy and who will carry the party’s banner in November.
While the process will determine the timeline, attention is quickly turning to the potential contenders for one of South Carolina’s most closely watched political seats.
Who Could Replace Graham?
"I think Joe Wilson has already expressed his interest.
Ralph Norman will definitely consider it.
Nikki Haley would be a powerful candidate—not sure what her plans might be," Dr.
Scott H.
Huffmon, professor of political science at Winthrop University, told Newsweek on Sunday.
"I don’t know if Pam Evette would want to jump back into the ring so fast after what was an overwhelming defeat in the GOP gubernatorial primary runoff.
He added: "I am also wondering if [Governor Henry] McMaster is thinking about a strategic appointment—to boost someone’s chances at getting the nomination—or a true placeholder appointment.
Nancy Mace might want to jump in because she’s Nancy Mace.
Based on her performance in the GOP gubernatorial primary, a victory would seem to be a very long shot."
Huffmon concluded: "I would assume every one of our current GOP members of the House of Representatives are having some serious conversations at the moment, [Russell] Fry included.
Joe Wilson has already put his name forward and Ralph Norman has a lot of money, a lot of ambition, and just ran a statewide race."
Representative Nancy Mace would bring one of the highest national profiles among potential successors and is "strongly considering" a run for Senate, as reported by Axios.
Mace herself hinted at it with a meme on X stating: "Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in."
According to Politico, Mace is eyeing Graham’s vacant Senate seat, based on two anonymous sources Newsweek was unable to verify.
As reported by the outlet, Mace plans to begin polling for her exploratory bid this week and has campaign funds left from her past congressional races.
A Senate bid would not be Mace's first.
She challenged Graham in the 2014 Republican primary but came fifth.
The South Carolina congresswoman has built a national reputation as a prominent Republican voice, with significant fundraising ability and strong name recognition among conservative voters.
Her relationship with Trump has shifted over time, but she has moved closer to the former president and his political movement in recent years.
Mace’s ability to appeal to both grassroots conservatives and more traditional Republican voters could make her a serious contender.
However, she recently fell short in her bid for governor, which may shape how party leaders view her prospects for another statewide race.
Representative Ralph Norman represents the more conservative wing of South Carolina Republicans and could attract support from the party’s activist base.
The longtime congressman has been closely aligned with Trump and has built a reputation as a reliable conservative vote in Washington.
His supporters could argue that he represents continuity with the populist direction of the Republican Party.
Norman, like Mace, recently sought the Republican nomination for governor but did not advance, meaning a Senate bid could represent another opportunity for statewide office.
Governor Henry McMaster is one of the most influential Republicans in South Carolina and would naturally be part of any discussion about Graham’s replacement.
McMaster has a long political relationship with Trump and remains a central figure within the state GOP.
His experience and stature could make him an appealing choice for a temporary appointment or a longer-term Senate role.
The key question, however, is whether McMaster would actually want the position.
As governor, he already holds one of the state’s most powerful offices, and his decision could depend on whether he views the Senate seat as a fitting next chapter.
Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette is another name with statewide visibility and strong Republican credentials.
Evette has developed a close relationship with McMaster and has been viewed as a rising figure within South Carolina politics.
Her statewide role and conservative profile could make her a potential compromise choice if Republicans look for someone with broad support.
She also recently emerged as a major Republican figure in the state’s gubernatorial contest, advancing to a runoff after receiving Trump’s endorsement.
Representative Russell Fry represents a younger generation of South Carolina Republicans and could offer a different type of option.
The congressman has close ties to Trump-aligned Republicans and has built a profile as a rising figure within the state party.
Compared with some of the other names being discussed, Fry would represent a younger alternative with room to build a longer political career.
His relative youth and connections within the Republican base could make him an attractive option as the party considers its future direction.
Representative Joe Wilson could also emerge as a serious contender.
The veteran congressman has represented South Carolina in the House since 2001 and is one of the state's longest-serving Republicans in Washington.
His experience and strong conservative record could make him an appealing option, particularly for a temporary appointment, although his lower statewide profile compared with some other contenders and his stage of career may make a long-term Senate bid less likely.
Political journalist Jake Sherman posted on X to his 467,000 followers; JOE WILSON, the 78-year-old dean of the S.C.
Republican delegation, is interested both in the appointment to Graham's seat and would run for a full term."
His X Joe Wilson For Congress account posted Sunday: "I was grateful to speak with President Trump today reminiscing about our mutual friend, Senator Lindsey Graham.
I assured him my goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority for the American people!!!"
However, his X post did not rule out running for a full term and replacing Graham on November's ballot.
Newsweek contacted Wilson via social media on Sunday for comment.
Nikki Haley is another name that could surface given her prominence in South Carolina politics.
The former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has statewide name recognition, extensive fundraising ability and national Republican support.
While there is no official indication she is considering a Senate bid, her political stature and experience would make her a formidable candidate should she decide to enter the race.
Representative William Timmons could also attract attention as a potential contender.
The Republican congressman has represented South Carolina's 4th Congressional District since 2019 and is part of a younger generation of GOP lawmakers.
While he lacks the statewide profile of some of the better-known names, his conservative credentials and experience in Congress could make him an option if Republicans look to elevate an emerging figure within the party.
How the Selection Process Works
South Carolina Republicans now face both an immediate vacancy and a separate election question following Graham’s death.
A replacement must be selected to fill the Senate seat, while Republicans must also determine their path forward for the November contest.
The details of that process are expected to shape the timeline, but the political focus is already centered on which Republican figure can best maintain the party’s hold on the seat.
"This is so sudden and unexpected that there is not an obvious front-runner to replace Senator Graham," Dr.
Robert Oldendick, professor of political science at the University of South Carolina, told Newsweek on Sunday.
"The most obvious options are individuals who were defeated in the recent statewide primary for Governor, including Representative Ralph Norman and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette or a sitting member of the House, such as William Timmons.
"
He added: "Two key factors in the decision are going to be electability, since they will have to face-off against Annie Andrews in November, and loyalty to President Trump since his popularity and endorsement (and closeness to Governor McMaster) are still essential among Republicans in the state."
Could It Be the Same Person?
The person chosen to temporarily serve in the Senate could also become the Republican nominee for the November election.
That would provide Republicans with continuity and avoid another transition before voters decide the seat’s long-term future.
However, there is no requirement that the temporary appointee and eventual candidate be the same person.
For now, party leaders are weighing both immediate stability and the broader question of who can succeed one of South Carolina’s most established political figures.
Graham’s influence extended far beyond South Carolina, making him a key figure in Republican politics nationally.
While the state has no shortage of prominent GOP officials who could replace him, matching his political stature may prove far more difficult than simply filling his Senate seat.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Daniel Orton and Trevor Davies .
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