Darline Graham is far from the first to take a family member’s Senate seat
- Darline Graham was appointed to the U.S. Senate to complete her late brother Lindsey Graham’s term and intends to seek a full six-year term in November, backed by President Donald Trump.
- The practise of family members filling Senate vacancies is extremely rare, with only 12 instances since 1913, predominantly involving widows.
- Advantages of such appointments include built-in name recognition, continuity, and familiarity with donor networks, but critics argue it raises concerns about nepotism and undemocratic hereditary rule.
- The 17th Amendment permits state governors to make temporary appointments to Senate vacancies, with state laws dictating special election timing, a process distinct from House vacancies which mandate elections.
- Notable historical examples include Hattie Caraway, the first woman elected to the Senate, and Lisa Murkowski, whose appointment by her father as governor sparked significant controversy.
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