BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — For local leaders across Berkeley County, the sudden death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was not only the loss of one of South Carolina’s most powerful political figures. It was the loss of a longtime connection to Washington — someone they said answered calls, helped pursue federal funding and advocated for projects affecting communities across the county.
Graham, a Republican who represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for more than 23 years, died Saturday after a brief and sudden illness. He was 71.
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The District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease as the preliminary cause of death. Graham was pronounced dead at George Washington University Hospital at 10:23 p.m. Saturday.
In Berkeley County, elected officials remembered Graham less for his national profile than for the work they said he did closer to home.
“Senator Graham believed in the value of local government and always supported our needs,” Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib said.
Habib credited Graham and his office with playing an instrumental role in the city’s $6 million Safe Streets grant and said the senator consistently helped South Carolina communities secure money for infrastructure.
“He represented South Carolina by consistently providing funds for needed infrastructure projects and was always a partner to us,” Habib said. “We will be praying for his family as they mourn his death. He will be missed.”
‘We lost a very powerful voice’
Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton also pointed to Graham’s ability to deliver for South Carolina, including his work with Democratic U.S. Rep. James Clyburn on major infrastructure priorities.
“We would not have a deep port without him and Representative Clyburn working together,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said Graham’s death should transcend political divisions.
“Don’t like his politics, fine, but to celebrate his death is disgusting,” Hamilton said. “We lost a very powerful voice for the people of South Carolina.”
He described Graham’s office as a dependable resource for local governments navigating federal agencies and pursuing funding.
“Let’s put politics aside because Senator Graham cared about South Carolina and brought many grants to our community and many others,” Hamilton said. “His office was always the one you could reach out to when you needed funding or help with the federal government.”
Hamilton said local officials had met with Graham as recently as July 2 to make a pitch for Safe Streets grant funding.
“During this time, I send prayers to his family,” he said.
Hanahan mayor recalls meeting just days before his death
Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater also reflected on how recently she had seen Graham.
“Deeply saddened to hear the news of Senator Lindsey Graham’s passing,” Rainwater said. “Looking at this photo from just ten days ago, it is a reminder of his lifelong commitment to public service.”
Rainwater said she was grateful for Graham’s work on behalf of South Carolina and the local community.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones,” she said.
The meeting Rainwater referenced took place Thursday, July 2 in Goose Creek, just nine days before Graham’s death. Afterward, Graham wrote on Facebook that he had met with officials and representatives from across Berkeley County to discuss the needs of one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing counties.
“Berkeley County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state with a great quality of life,” Graham wrote. “I want to partner with the local community to keep it that way.”
During the meeting, Graham announced that Berkeley County would receive a $22 million federal BUILD grant for transportation infrastructure, one of four such grants awarded in South Carolina.
“I’m glad to advocate for communities who are willing to help themselves before asking others,” Graham wrote. “Berkeley County has done that.”
He ended the July 2 post by reflecting on his relationship with the county.
“I’m grateful for the longstanding support I’ve received from Berkeley County and will continue to listen, learn and help lead when it comes to the needs of their community,” Graham wrote.
Those words, posted little more than a week before his death, now serve as one of Graham’s final public reflections on a county whose leaders say he remained closely connected to throughout his years in Washington.
Grooms remembers a mentor and friend
State Sen. Larry Grooms, who represents part of Berkeley County, remembered Graham not only as a longtime political leader but as a personal mentor and friend.
“My heart is heavy and I am greatly saddened to learn of the loss of Senator Lindsey Graham, a true American hero,” Grooms said. “Our state and country were made greater through his tireless efforts and leadership. Through measured strength he sought peace throughout our world.”
Grooms also reflected on their long personal and political relationship.
“He stood by me when I first ran for office and I have stood for him,” Grooms said. “He was my mentor and friend. I will miss him.”
Berkeley County Republicans remember ‘a fighter for our state’
John McGrath, chairman of the Berkeley County Republican Party, said Graham devoted more than three decades to public service, from his military career to the South Carolina State House, U.S. House and Senate.
“He was a fighter for our state, a leading voice for a strong national defense, and a familiar face to Republicans across the Lowcountry who met him, shook his hand, and heard him speak,” McGrath said.
McGrath acknowledged that Graham was a figure who often generated strong political opinions, even within his own party.
“Whether you agreed with him on every issue or not, no one questioned that Lindsey Graham left everything he had on the field,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, whose congressional district includes parts of Berkeley County, similarly described Graham as a towering figure in South Carolina politics despite their political differences.
“South Carolina lost a giant,” Mace said.
“We did not always agree, but no one ever questioned his love for South Carolina or the fight he brought to every room he walked into,” she added.
More than three decades in public office
Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate from 2003 until his death. Before that, he served eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives and two years in the South Carolina House.
His public service also included a 33-year military career. Graham served on active duty as an Air Force lawyer and later in the South Carolina Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as a colonel in 2015.
A native of Central, South Carolina, Graham grew up in a working-class family whose parents operated a restaurant and pool hall. He became the first member of his family to attend college, earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina.
His long Senate career made him one of the country’s most recognizable Republicans, particularly on national security, foreign policy and judicial matters. But in the days following his death, Berkeley County leaders focused on another part of his legacy: his ability to connect the influence of Washington with the needs of local communities.
Graham’s sister appointed to fill Senate vacancy
On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to temporarily fill the Senate seat left vacant by her brother’s death. She will become the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
Nordone has spent nearly three decades in public service and has served since 2019 as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. She will serve until Jan. 3, 2027, when the winner of the November general election takes office.
“Lindsey worked harder than anyone to make our state, country, and world better,” Nordone said in the governor’s announcement. “He loved his family and loved serving this state and the country.”
Because Graham had been the Republican nominee for the 2026 Senate election, the South Carolina Republican Party will hold a special primary to select a replacement candidate for the November ballot. Filing is scheduled for July 21 through July 28, with the primary set for Aug. 11 and a runoff, if necessary, on Aug. 25. The general election remains scheduled for Nov. 3.
For Berkeley County leaders, however, the immediate focus remained on the senator they had worked with — including, in some cases, just days before his death.
As Hamilton put it, South Carolina had lost “a very powerful voice.”
