The longtime Republican senator and former presidential candidate died after a brief and sudden illness, his office announced.
WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, an influential foreign policy voice who became one of President Donald Trump’s closest congressional allies, died Saturday evening following a brief and sudden illness, his office said. He was 71.
Graham’s office announced his death early Sunday but did not identify the illness or release further information about where he died. His family thanked the public for its prayers and requested privacy. Graham had represented South Carolina in the Senate since January 2003 and was seeking a fifth term.
His death removes one of the Senate’s most recognizable Republicans at a consequential point in national and international politics. Graham had long pushed for a forceful American role overseas, particularly in matters involving Iran, Israel, Russia and Ukraine. Shortly before his death, he had announced an agreement with the Trump administration to advance a package of sanctions targeting Russia.
Graham was born July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina before beginning a legal career in the U.S. Air Force. He served as a military lawyer, remained in the Air Force Reserve and retired as a colonel in 2015.
Before entering the Senate, Graham served in the South Carolina House of Representatives and represented the state’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House from 1995 through 2002. He won election to the Senate in 2002, succeeding longtime Sen. Strom Thurmond.
Graham built his national reputation through work on defense, foreign policy and judicial issues. He served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee during Trump’s first administration and later led the Senate Budget Committee. He was also known for working across party lines on some legislation while remaining a dependable conservative vote on many other issues.
He briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination during the 2016 election cycle. Graham sharply criticized Trump during that campaign, but their relationship changed after Trump became president. Graham emerged as a frequent adviser and public defender of Trump, particularly on foreign policy and national security.
Graham was also closely associated with the late Arizona Sen. John McCain. The two traveled together, shared similar views on America’s military role abroad and developed a friendship that lasted until McCain’s death in 2018. Graham often cited McCain’s influence when discussing national defense and international alliances.
At the time of his death, Graham had recently won South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary and was campaigning for another term in the November election. His passing creates an unexpected vacancy in the state’s Senate delegation and leaves state officials and political leaders to address the process for replacing him.
Funeral arrangements and additional details about Graham’s death had not been announced Sunday morning. His office said the family was seeking privacy as tributes began arriving from political allies, former colleagues and public officials.
Author note: Last updated July 12, 2026.