South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace has indicated her potential candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat left by Senator Lindsey Graham following his sudden death on Saturday night.
Mace, who lost in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary and will not appear on the November ballot for her congressional district, stated she would consider running if voters choose.
“South Carolina lost a giant last night,” Mace said in a Sunday morning social media post. “For more than three decades Lindsey Graham gave everything he had to this state and this country, from the Air Force to the United States Senate. 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.”
Mace posted a clip from The Godfather Part III with the caption: “Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in…” on her platform.
On Sunday, Mace told reporters that she would weigh the option due to the short election timeline. “The filing period would start July 21st with an election on August 11th, that’s a three-week race,” she said. “And I would be an idiot not to at least look at it.”
Graham, 71 years old, had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine when he died in his home in the capital. His office confirmed he passed away from a sudden illness.
President Donald Trump stated that he spoke with Graham shortly before his death and that it might have been the senator’s last call. The president ordered U.S. flags across the country to be flown at half-staff for the week in honor of the late senator.
According to state law, Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement to finish Graham’s term, which ends in January.
Mace emphasized that her immediate focus is on honoring Graham’s legacy and life.
