Sen. Lindsey Graham July 9, 1955 – July 11, 2026
POLITICAL News:
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) passed away Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, from a brief and sudden illness, according to the official statement issued today from his office.
Sen. Graham, 71, had represented South Carolina in the United States Senate since 2003. He had just returned on Friday from a meeting in Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
His parents died when he was in college. He never married and had no children.
The International Republican Institute issued the following statement on the passing of Sen. Graham:
“The International Republican Institute (IRI), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting freedom and democracy worldwide, mourns the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, who served on IRI’s Board of Directors for nearly 11 years.
“As a tireless advocate for freedom and American leadership, Senator Graham was a living embodiment of President Ronald Reagan’s mantra, laid out in his 1982 Westminster Address, that we must be “staunch in our conviction that freedom is not the sole prerogative of a lucky few, but the inalienable and universal right of all human beings.”
“Senator Graham exemplified these values in word and deed as a national security leader in the United States Senate. As he said in 2019 when accepting IRI’s Democracy Service Medal on behalf of the late Senator John McCain, who served as IRI’s Chairman for 25 years, “What John taught me is that America is not the world’s policeman, but we are the glue that holds the world together.”
“A true public servant, Senator Graham personified the American dream. IRI extends its deepest condolences to the Senator’s family, friends, colleagues, constituents, and those around the world who he touched with his leadership as he strove to make the world a better, freer place.”
The Republican Party of New Mexico released the following statement today on the passing of Sen. Graham:
“The Republican Party of New Mexico is grateful to Senator Lindsey Graham for his decades of service to our nation. Throughout his career in the United States Senate, Senator Graham was a steadfast advocate for a strong national defense, and the principles of freedom that have made America the greatest nation in the world.
“As a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserve, Senator Graham did not only stand in support of our military but personally wore the uniform as he served our country. His commitment to America’s service members, veterans, and national security earned the respect of countless Americans.
“Our prayers are with his family, friends and staff.”
