Who could replace Lindsey Graham in Senate? 5 Republicans to watch, from Nancy Mace to Scott Bessent

WASHINGTON, DC: The death of Lindsey Graham has sent shockwaves through Washington, leaving behind not only a decades-long legacy but also a coveted Senate seat awaiting its next occupant.

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, died on Saturday, July 11, following a "brief and sudden illness,” his office said.

After comfortably defeating primary challenger Mark Lynch just over a month ago, Graham was preparing to seek a fifth Senate term this November. Polls showed him holding a three-point lead over Democratic challenger and pediatrician Annie Andrews.

With Graham no longer in the race, Andrews has emerged as a more competitive challenger in the eyes of some analysts.

As Republicans seek to protect their narrow Senate majority, attention has quickly turned to finding both a temporary replacement and a permanent nominee for Graham's South Carolina seat.

Ranking likely GOP contenders for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat

Nancy Mace (most likely)

Rep Nancy Mace is among the first names being floated in what could be a crowded field to fill the seat vacated by Graham. Mace herself hinted at it with a meme on X (formerly Twitter) stating: "Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in."

Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed her contention to Politico, stating that she plans to begin polling for her exploratory bid this week and has campaign funds left from her past congressional races. The South Carolina congresswoman has emerged as one of the Republican Party's most recognizable figures, combining strong fundraising prowess with broad support among conservative voters.

Mace has demonstrated an ability to connect with both MAGA supporters and mainstream Republicans, making her a credible contender for the seat. However, her recent loss in the governor's race could complicate her path to another statewide bid.

Ralph Norman (strong contender)

Rep Ralph Norman is widely regarded as a flag-bearer for the conservative wing of South Carolina's Republican Party, making him a strong contender to replace Graham. A close ally of President Donald Trump, the longtime congressman has built a reputation as a steadfast conservative and a reliable supporter of the party's agenda in Washington.

Although Norman's recent bid for the Republican governor nomination fell short, like Mace, a run for the Senate could offer him another opportunity to seek statewide office.

Henry McMaster (possible pick)

South Carolina Gov Henry McMaster remains one of the state's most influential Republicans and has maintained a close political relationship with Trump for years. His long tenure in public office and deep ties within the GOP could make him an attractive candidate for either an interim appointment or a permanent move to the Senate.

Whether McMaster would appoint himself for the seat remains an open question. Already serving in one of South Carolina's most powerful positions, he would have to decide if a Senate role aligns with the next phase of his political career.

Scott Bessent (long shot)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to Politico, is said to be “fielding calls” from power brokers urging him to run for the Senate seat held by Graham, due to his strong ties to South Carolina and his deep alignment with the Trump administration's economic policies.

However, the South Carolina native has shown no interest in taking up the Senate role, preferring to focus on his current financial and policy duties under the president.

Pamela Evette (dark horse)

South Carolina Lt Gov Pamela Evette is another Republican with strong statewide name recognition and solid conservative credentials. A close ally of Gov McMaster, Evette has emerged as one of the GOP's rising stars in South Carolina politics. Her experience in statewide office and appeal across the party could make her a strong contender if Republicans seek a candidate with broader support.

However, Evette's recent victory in the Republican governor race has positioned her to succeed McMaster as governor, making it far less likely that he would appoint her to the Senate and create another vacancy in the state's leadership.

Which potential Lindsey Graham successor is closest to Trump?

While Ralph Norman and Scott Bessent continue to maintain a close alliance with President Donald Trump, Nancy Mace has found herself standing against him due to her push for the release of Epstein files.

This has even led Trump to throw his support behind Evette, who rose victorious in the GOP gubernatorial race. However, Mace has worked to reverse course, making a concerted effort to regain Trump's favor and return to his inner circle.

Among the potential contenders, McMaster stands out as one of Trump's closest and longest-serving allies. The president previously heaped praise on McMaster, saying, “he has been a great governor, you know, now he’s termed out, but he’s going to do the right thing.”

“I think Henry will be fantastic,” he added.

Trump, the preeminent kingmaker in Republican politics, has so far declined to endorse a candidate to replace Graham.

However, he told ‘Meet The Press’ host Kristen Welker that he had someone in mind to fill Graham's seat. "I have somebody that I think would be great," he said.

"But I don't want to say it now because, you know, it's too soon with Lindsey. I don't want to even talk about anybody. But I do have somebody that I think is really good," Trump added. 

What happens next with Lindsey Graham's Senate seat?

Under the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution, the South Carolina governor holds the power to appoint a temporary replacement to fill Lindsey Graham’s now-vacant seat. 

The appointee would serve until a successor is elected and qualified under the procedures established by state law.

Because Graham secured the GOP nomination through a primary election, South Carolina law requires the vacancy to be filled through a special primary election.

Section 7-11-55 of the South Carolina Code of Laws states that candidate filing opens for the special primary election on the second Tuesday after the vacancy occurs and remains open for one week. Under that timeline, the candidate filing period would run from July 21 to July 28.

The special primary is then held on the second Tuesday after the filing period closes. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election is held two weeks later.

The winner of that special primary would secure Graham’s vacant seat and face the Democratic nominee in November.

In a statement Sunday, Andrews called Graham “a man of great faith who proudly served our nation as a JAG officer and Air Force colonel.”

“I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina,” she said.