Darline Graham Nordone, sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, sworn in to complete his term

Darline Graham Nordone was sworn in Tuesday afternoon to complete the Senate term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham. Nordone, who was appointed by South Carolina Republican Gov.Henry McMaster just days after Graham’s sudden death, took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony presided over by Senate president pro tempore Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).The 62-year-old wife, mother of two, and grandmother will serve out the remaining six months of her late brother’s term.

She becomes the first woman to represent South Carolina in the US Senate.“It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work, and I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States,” Nordone said at a press conference Monday. While she has never held elected public office, Nardone has “dedicated her career to public service,” McMaster’s office said in a statement. Since 2019, Nardone has served as Commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind [SCCB], where she “has worked to expand opportunities for South Carolinians who are blind or have low vision to achieve employment and independence,” according to the governor’s office. A state database of public employees confirms Nardone was the “agency head” of the commission and earned a salary of $138,000 – a bit less than the $174,000 per year she’ll make as a US senator.Prior to her appointment as commissioner, Nardone held roles with Clemson University, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce and the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for nearly 30 years, according to the governor’s office. “In addition to her full-time role as SCCB Commissioner, Ms.Graham currently serves on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind,” the...