Darline Graham Nordone's path from disabilities worker to US senator
In less than 48 hours, Darline Graham Nordone went from a career helping people with disabilities find jobs to becoming the first woman selected to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
On July 13, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham Nordone to complete the remainder of Sen. Lindsey Graham's term after the longtime Republican lawmaker unexpectedly died July 11.
Speaking at the state Capitol following her appointment, Graham Nordone signaled she intends to continue the work of her brother who helped raise her after their parents died when she was a child. They were her first public comments since Graham's death.
"Lindsey has always been there for me, and I will be there for him," she said, describing him as an outstanding leader who worked harder than anyone to make the state, country and world better.
Graham Nordone is expected to be sworn in on July 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET in the Capitol, a congressional aide told USA TODAY. She will serve until Jan. 3, 2027, when the winner of the November election is scheduled to take office.
Here's what to know about South Carolina's first woman appointed to the Senate.
A life shaped by family tragedy
Much of Graham Nordone's life story has been intertwined with that of her older brother. The siblings grew up in Central, a tiny town in South Carolina, where their parents owned a pool hall and restaurant.
Their childhood changed dramatically when their mother died of Hodgkin lymphoma in 1976. Fifteen months later, their father died of a heart attack, leaving Lindsey Graham, then a college student, responsible for his younger sister.
Graham Nordone was 13 when her father died, the Post and Courier reported. In interviews over the years, she recounted how frightened she was after losing both parents and how her brother stepped into the role of caregiver. Graham became his sister's legal guardian before he joined the U.S. Air Force as a military lawyer to provide her with insurance and other benefits.
"I can remember the day my father passed away, standing in the living room of that house, absolutely scared to death," Graham Nordone told NPR in 2015. "Lindsey wrapped his arms around me and promised me he would always be there for me and always take care of me."
Their bond remained a defining feature of Graham's public life. In a 2015 interview with The New York Times, Graham Nordone described her brother as "kind of like a brother, a father and a mother rolled into one."
Career in disability services
The siblings, while remaining close, followed different career paths. Graham Nordone spent most of hers in disability services and workforce development rather than elective politics.
She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the College of Charleston, a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and holds certification as a public manager, according to a biography provided to The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network.
For nearly seven years, she has served as a commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, where she focused on helping blind and low-vision people achieve employment, independence and economic self-sufficiency, the biography states.
Graham Nordone began her career as a certified optician, working directly with people on eye-care needs before moving into state government. She later held positions at Clemson University and with the state employment department before joining the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.
During 12 years with the Vocational Rehabilitation Department, Graham Nordone served as the business services director and communications director, according to the biography. She currently serves on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind.
Graham Nordone lives in Lexington, South Carolina, with her husband, Larry Nordone. According to the biography obtained by The Greenville News, the couple has two daughters and one grandson.
In the background of Lindsey Graham's campaigns
Although she never ran for office, Graham Nordone was a familiar presence during key moments of her brother's political career, often sharing personal stories about how he helped raise her after their parents' deaths and the close bond the siblings maintained throughout their lives.
When Graham was seeking a third Senate term in 2014, Graham Nordine appeared in a campaign ad - saying that her brother assured her that after their parents' deaths, he would take care of her.
During Graham's 2016 presidential campaign, Graham Nordone was a visible presence at campaign events, sharing stories about the siblings' upbringing and their close relationship. Graham, who never married or had children, once joked in a 2015 interview with the Daily Mail that if elected president, his sister could help fill the role of first lady.
"I've got a sister. She could play that role if necessary," Graham said, before adding, "I've got a lot of friends. We'll have a rotating first lady."
Now Graham Nordone is contributing to Graham's legacy in a very different way.
"It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work," she said. "And I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States."
Terry Collins is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. Contact him at tcollins@usatoday.com. Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Darline Graham Nordone's path from disabilities worker to US senator
Reporting by Terry Collins, Bella Carpentier and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:11 PM.