The Republican lawmaker and influential conservative voice died after a brief illness, according to a statement from his office.
WASHINGTON (Smokies.LIVE) — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who built a national profile as a leading conservative voice on national defense, fiscal policy and the federal judiciary, has died, according to a statement released by his office.
Graham, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and won reelection in 2008, 2014 and 2020, served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee while also holding seats on the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works committees.
Throughout his Senate career, Graham became known as one of Congress’ most outspoken advocates for a strong national defense and an active U.S. role overseas. A frequent visitor to American troops deployed abroad, he regularly traveled to combat zones to assess military operations and advocate for policies he said would strengthen long-term U.S. national security.
On domestic issues, Graham championed efforts to reduce federal spending, reform entitlement programs and limit government regulation, arguing those policies would encourage economic growth and job creation.
Before joining the Senate, Graham represented South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House after his election in 1994. He was the first Republican elected to represent the district since Reconstruction.
Graham also spent more than three decades serving in the military. He began his legal career as an active-duty Air Force judge advocate, serving six-and-a-half years, including an overseas assignment at Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany. He later served in the South Carolina Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserve, returning to active military legal duties during congressional recesses to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2015 with the rank of colonel after 33 years of military service.
A native of Central, South Carolina, Graham grew up in a working-class family where his parents operated a restaurant and pool hall. He was the first member of his family to attend college, earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina.
He lived in Seneca and was a member of Corinth Baptist Church.
The statement from Graham’s office did not immediately provide additional details regarding his death.
No responses yet