Rep. Nancy Mace considering Senate bid after Lindsey Graham’s death, ‘I would be an idiot not to at least look at it’
OAN Staff Addie Davis
2:55 PM – Sunday, July 12, 2026
United States Representative Nancy Mace voiced a potential Senate run to fill Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat after his death on Saturday.
Mace (R-S.C.) recognized Graham’s (R-S.C.) passing in a Sunday morning social media post, highlighting his decades of service to The Palmetto State.
“South Carolina lost a giant last night. 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,” the representative said.
“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. Please join me in praying for his family and for all who called him a friend. Rest easy, Senator,” she continued.
Later that morning, Mace, who lost her bid in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary and will not appear on the ballot for her congressional district in November, hinted at running for the vacant seat.
On X, she posted a clip from the “Godfather Part III” with the caption, “Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in…”
Speaking on Fox News on Sunday, Mace expanded her intention to vie for the seat.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t leave the door open. You only live once. I love serving in the House; I will look at serving in the Senate if that’s what voters want me to do, but we don’t have a lot of time,” Mace said.
Candidates reportedly can begin filing paperwork on July 21st to run for the seat, with a special Republican primary election to be held on August 11th.
Graham initially won the Republican nomination in June and was set to face off against Democrat candidate Annie Andrews in the November general election.
According to state law, Governor Henry McMaster (R-S.C.) will appoint a temporary replacement to finish out Graham’s term, which ends in January.
Mace emphasized the short timeline for the election while speaking to Fox News.
“The filing period would start July 21st with an election on August 11th, that’s a three-week race. And I would be an idiot not to at least look at it. And if the people of South Carolina want me to continue to serve, then I absolutely will consider it,” she said.
“But number one, right now, my focus is on his legacy, his legend and his life and ensuring that we honor that here in South Carolina,” she asserted.
Graham, 71 years old, had recently returned to the U.S. from a trip to Ukraine. According to NBC News, emergency personnel responded to a call for “cardiac arrest” at Graham’s home in the capital on Saturday night.
His office stated that Graham “passed away from a brief and sudden illness.”
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” his office said.
President Donald Trump revealed that he had spoken to Graham shortly before his death, purporting that it was possible he was the senator’s last call.
“It could have been his last call, I don’t know exactly,” the president said while speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“I got a message about 1:00 in the morning from one of the people in his office that he had passed away. I said, ‘I just can’t believe it.’ He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough, actually,” he continued.
On Sunday, the president announced he was ordering U.S. flags across the country to be flown at half-staff for the week in honor of the late senator.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below
Advertising by Adpathway
