US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71

First elected to the Senate in 2002, Graham built a reputation as a conservative stalwart, securing re-election in 2008, 2014, and 2020. His home state of South Carolina remained his political base, where he became the first candidate to surpass one million votes in a general election. Before his ascent to the Senate, Graham served in the US Air Force and the South Carolina Air National Guard, later breaking a century-long political drought by becoming the first Republican to represent his district in the House since 1877.

During Donald Trump’s second term, Graham emerged as a decisive voice on international affairs, consistently pushing for a hawkish stance on Iran. His death leaves a significant void in the Republican foreign policy establishment, ending a tenure defined by his transition from a House representative to one of the most visible and influential figures in the upper chamber.