‘Not a short story:’ Strickland, colleagues remember Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham during an oversight hearing on Capitol Hill to examine the Federal Bureau of Prisons. (Official U.S. Senate photo by John Shinkle)

As the state of South Carolina and the nation remembered a Senator with a long and complex political legacy, retired Laurens County School District 55 Superintendent Billy Strickland remembered his friend and college roommate.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday night after a sudden heart attack at his home in Washington, D.C. He was 71 and rose from humble beginnings in Central to become one of the most powerful people in the U.S. Senate, one with a close connection with President Donald Trump during both his terms in office.

Graham was concluding his fourth term in the Senate and was running for re-election against Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews.

“He was a good man,” Strickland said. “The politics of it, I never really got into all of that. I know he did a lot for Laurens County, and he did a lot for the state of South Carolina.”

The two met as undergraduates at the University of South Carolina, living on the same residence hall along with Don Branyon, the late publisher of the Ware Shoals Observer newspaper.

Strickland said he and Graham remained close over the years with Graham occasionally calling from an international flight while serving as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

“It’s not a short story,” Strickland said. “It’s a friendship with Lindsey from (age) 18 to 71. The while thing is more about the person than the politics. We bonded because of similarities in life. He was a po’ boy from Central, and I was a po’ farm boy from western Laurens County.”

On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Henry R. McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone to fulfill the rest of Graham’s term leading up to the 2026 election in November.

Graham, then 22, became his younger sister’s legal guardian and then adopted her following the deaths of both their parents within 15 months of one another while he was still in college.

Flags on public buildings were ordered flown at half-mast beginning Tuesday, and Graham’s desk on the Senate floor was draped in black.

“Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable,” McMaster said in a release. “The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.”

Locally, former U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan posted on social media, saying, “South Carolina, the nation and the world lost a great leader.”

Laurens County Development Corporation President and CEO Jonathan Coleman worked together on development projects in the county over the years.

“I was able to be around Senator Graham a good amount over the years. The first two questions he always asked, ‘How’s your family?’ and ‘How are things in Laurens County?'” Coleman said. “He had a great wit and was always a pleasure to be around. He deeply cared about our state and our county and helped us immensely to be able to obtain federal dollars for different projects. He will be deeply missed, and his impact on our state will be felt for many years. My heart goes out to his family and the wonderful people on his staff, especially my good friend, Van Cato.”

Graham’s Democratic opponent for the Senate also released a statement, urging South Carolinians to put partisan politics aside as the state mourns.

“My deepest condolences are with the family of Sen. Lindsey Graham, his friends, his devoted staff and all who are grieving this sudden and tremendous loss,” she said. “From his small town South Carolina roots to the halls of the U.S. Senate, he was a man of great faith who proudly served our nation as a JAG officer and Air Force colonel. I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting aside partisanship and offering gratitude to Sen. Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina.”

Once known for an independent streak and his willingness to break down political divides along with his friend, the late Sen. John McCain, Graham became one of Trump’s fiercest allies after running against him for the GOP nomination in 2016.

A second GOP Primary election to determine who Andrews will face is the November election is now scheduled for Aug. 11. Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, who Graham defeated in the previous primary, has announced his intention to restart his campaign, while Rep. Nancy Mace and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who are both coming off failed bids for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Rep. Will Timmons (R-Greenville) and former Rep. Trey Gowdy are among those being floated as potential candidates for the August primary.