government
Republicans scramble to find a replacement for Sen. Lindsey Graham ahead of the midterm elections
By Alexandra Marquez, Frank Thorp V and Melanie Zanona | NBC News at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 12, 2026
· 3 min read
Hours after GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had a preferred replacement in mind but declined to share a name out of respect for Graham.
“I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don’t want to say it now because it’s just, you know, it’s too...
Key takeaway Lindsey Graham’s death, President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had a preferred replacement in mind but declined to share a name out of respect for Graham.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The scramble to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham has significant implications for Los Angeles , particularly in terms of the potential shift in the balance of power in the Senate. As the second-largest city in the US, Los Angeles has a substantial stake in federal policy decisions, and a change in South Carolina's Senate representation could impact the city's interests. With the midterm elections approaching, the appointment of a temporary replacement and the subsequent special election will be closely watched by Angelenos, who may see the effects of these decisions on issues such as transportation, education, and public safety. The fact that Rep. Nancy Mace, who has experience running statewide in South Carolina, is considering a bid for the seat may also draw attention from Los Angeles, where voters often track national political trends and their potential local impact.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Hours after GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had a preferred replacement in mind but declined to share a name out of respect for Graham.
“I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don’t want to say it now because it’s just, you know, it’s too...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alexandra Marquez, Frank Thorp V and Melanie Zanona | NBC News at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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