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 CALLRep.
Julia Letlow, R-La., attended a news conference with Republican lawmakers in the Capitol Visitor Center on Jan.20, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)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 SENATOROn 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.U.S.
Rep.Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., speaks before the signing of a moratorium on mining in the area of the Grand Canyon in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan.
9, 2012.(Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)Six months later, Adelita Grijalva won the special election for her father's seat, defeating Republican candidate Daniel Butierez Sr.
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