Lindsey Graham buried in South Carolina after tributes in Washington

Lindsey Graham was buried in South Carolina after tributes in Washington and a Statehouse procession. His death has now set off a closely watched Republican contest for his Senate seat.

In Short

• Preliminary findings said Graham likely died of an aortic tear
• He remained deeply connected to South Carolina's small towns and leaders
• Military jets flew over the Statehouse before a caisson procession

Sen. Lindsey Graham returned to South Carolina on Wednesday for his funeral and burial, a day after he was honoured in Washington by President Donald Trump, the vice president and others. In Columbia, mourners were set to remember him not only as a powerful figure in national politics, but also as the son of pool hall owners who never forgot his roots.

Graham died suddenly on July 11 at his home in Washington, likely of an aortic tear, according to preliminary findings. He had just returned from a trip to a NATO summit in Turkey, where he celebrated his 71st birthday, and a visit to Ukraine. His death has also opened up a political contest over his Senate seat in South Carolina.

Those close to Graham said he stayed deeply connected to his home state. He seemed to know every small-town mayor and police chief and the location of every Chick-fil-A across South Carolina. His political action committee made sure Republicans had money to contest legislative and local elections across the state.

Wednesday’s funeral was held at First Baptist, the large downtown church where his predecessor, Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond, was honoured 23 years ago. Before that, Graham’s body was taken to the South Carolina Statehouse, where he began his political career in 1993, for a law enforcement ceremony and a flypast by military jets. From there, a horse-drawn caisson carried his casket a few blocks to the church. His burial near his home in Pickens County was planned as a private ceremony.

On Tuesday, Graham’s flag-draped casket was at the US Capitol, where the Republican spent more than 30 years talking, laughing and pressing colleagues into action. Later, Trump joined foreign leaders at the Washington National Cathedral, reflecting Graham’s standing on the global stage. Trump called Graham “a giant of the United States Senate, a true American original who left us much too soon.” He was also remembered in the nation’s capital as an indefatigable dealmaker.

Graham had already won the Republican nomination as he sought a fifth term. Governor Henry McMaster named his younger sister, Darline, to hold the seat until January. Darline Graham then surprised many by deciding to run for the full six-year term herself. Under state law, Republicans will hold a special primary in two weeks to choose the new nominee. Eight others are in the contest, including former governor Mark Sanford and US Representatives Ralph Norman and Russell Fry.

With ceremonies in Washington and South Carolina, Graham was remembered as both a national political force and a leader with close ties to his home state, even as the race to succeed him began to take shape.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends