Source: Fortune
Summary
Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a prominent figure in Washington on foreign affairs, has died at the age of 71 due to a brief and sudden illness. Graham was a hawk who advocated for a robust U.S. military interventionism and strong national defense, and was a key player in the Senate’s efforts to craft a massive immigration overhaul in 2013. He was also a prominent defender of Trump during his two first-term impeachments. Graham’s death will likely prompt a scramble to fill a rare open Senate seat, with a number of Republican names circulating as possible replacements.
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Lindsey Graham’s sudden death has left a power vacuum in the Senate, with a special election to replace him likely to be held within weeks. Graham’s close relationship with Trump and his influence on the president’s thinking will be deeply felt. His hawkish views on foreign policy and his role in shaping the Senate’s immigration overhaul efforts will also be remembered. As the Senate scrambles to fill his seat, Graham’s legacy as a key player in Washington will be cemented.
Original observation: Graham’s death marks the end of an era in the Senate, where personal relationships and bipartisan negotiations were just as important as party loyalty.
Author: Evan Null
