government
Lindsey Graham’s death will shake the Senate and November election. Here’s what comes next
By Ethan Cohen, Alison Main at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 12, 2026
· 3 min read
The sudden death of influential Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham will have implications for legislative business in the Senate and the November election. Heres what we know about what comes next.How will Grahams seat get filled?Under state law, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster can appoint a tempo...
Key takeaway Officials have yet to announce how Graham will be replaced, but state law appears to call for a special primary election on August 11 with a possible runoff on August 25 to choose a new nominee.
Why this matters in The Waco
The impact of Senator Lindsey Graham's death will be felt beyond South Carolina, with potential ripple effects in Texas. As the Senate navigates the budget reconciliation process, Texans will be watching to see how the changes in the Senate's balance of power affect key legislative issues, such as voter ID laws. With the Republican midterm convention scheduled to take place in Dallas in September, Texas will be at the forefront of the party's efforts to push through their agenda. The appointment of a temporary replacement for Graham's seat and the subsequent special primary election will be closely watched by Texans, who will be interested in seeing how the new nominee's stance on issues like voter ID laws will align with the state's own legislative priorities. As the Senate moves forward with the budget reconciliation process, Texans will be paying close attention to how the changes in the Senate's composition will impact the state's own legislative goals.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The sudden death of influential Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham will have implications for legislative business in the Senate and the November election. Heres what we know about what comes next.How will Grahams seat get filled?Under state law, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster can appoint a tempo...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ethan Cohen, Alison Main at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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