After Lindsey Graham's death, sister joins long list of relatives who replaced late family members in Congress

By Fox News · Fox News

Following the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C., South Carolina's Republican Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham's younger sister, Darline Graham, to fill his seat for the remainder of his term, continuing a legacy of family members stepping in to take the reins of power from their kin. When Darline is sworn in on Tuesday afternoon, she will become the latest example of a U.S. lawmaker sliding into a seat vacated by a deceased family member. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., is a favorite of President Donald Trump and has his backing in her ongoing campaign to represent Louisiana in the U.S. Senate . "DID YOU CALL 911?" TUBERVILLE RECOUNTS GRAHAM'S FRANTIC FINAL PHONE CALL Her political career began years ago when Julia's husband, Luke Letlow, died from COVID-19 complications in December 2020, just over a month after residents of Louisiana's 5th district had voted him in as their congressman. Though Luke Letlow was never sworn into office, his widow picked up the torch, running in and winning the 2021 special election to fill the House seat. GRAHAM ALLY RIPS 'THIRSTY' REPUBLICANS JOCKEYING TO REPLACE LATE SENATOR On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., was also thrust into the halls of Congress after tragedy struck her loved one. Grijalva's father, former Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., died of lung cancer in March 2025. Raúl had already announced that he would not be seeking reelection after a 22-year stint in Congress. Six months later, Adelita Grijalva won the special election for her father's seat, defeating Republican candidate Daniel Butierez Sr. by more than 40,000 votes, according to results published by the Arizona secretary of state. TRUMP REVEALS WHO HE'S EYEING TO REPLACE LINDSEY GRAHAM Though Democrats cried foul when House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., initially delayed her swearing in, she officially became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 12, 2025. Former Rep. Erica Lee Carter, D-Texas, also ascended into…