Iowa leaders mourn death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, longtime South Carolina Republican

DES MOINES — Iowa leaders are mourning the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the longtime South Carolina Republican who spent more than three decades in Congress and became one of the most recognizable foreign-policy voices in Washington.

Graham died Saturday after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. He was 71. Graham served in the U.S. House before winning election to the U.S. Senate in 2002, where he became known for his work on national defense, judicial nominations, foreign policy, Ukraine, Israel and Republican politics. ([AP News][1])

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Graham’s long service in Washington would be remembered.

“Sen. Lindsey Graham’s decades-long service in Washington D.C. is legendary, and he will be greatly missed,” Reynolds said. “I’ll remember him fondly for his big personality and southern charm, but most importantly for his unwavering patriotic spirit. My prayers are with his family and friends.”

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican and military veteran who served with Graham in the Senate, called him a close friend and major figure in the chamber.

“I am stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham,” Ernst said. “The Senate has lost a bold leader whose influence will be felt for generations. Please join me in praying for his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa’s senior senator, also remembered Graham as a longtime colleague and friend. Grassley said he was “shocked” to hear of Graham’s passing and noted the two had worked together for years on the Senate Judiciary and Budget committees.

Graham and Grassley overlapped for years on high-profile Senate work, including the Judiciary Committee, where both men played major roles during several Supreme Court confirmation fights. Graham chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021 and later chaired the Senate Budget Committee.

Graham was a former Air Force lawyer who retired as a colonel after decades of service in active duty, Guard and Reserve roles. He became one of the Senate’s most vocal advocates for a strong U.S. military posture, support for Israel and continued backing for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among the international leaders who issued tributes after his death.

Graham also became one of President Donald Trump’s most visible allies after first opposing him in the 2016 Republican presidential primary. Their later alliance made Graham a central figure in Republican debates over foreign policy, the courts and national security.

His death creates a major vacancy in South Carolina politics. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement, with a special election process to follow.