Darline Graham Nordone was not a familiar name in political circles before she was appointed to her late brother Lindsey Graham’s US Senate seat.
Her career in South Carolina focused on public service, including her role as commissioner and agency head of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, but she had never held elected office.
She is also known for her close bond with her brother, who helped raise her after the siblings lost both of their parents at a young age. Here is what is known about Nordone’s family, including her husband and children.
Who is Darline Graham Nordone’s husband?
Darline Graham Nordone is married to Larry Nordone, according to The Greenville News. The couple has largely kept their personal life private, and there are limited publicly available details about Larry Nordone’s background or profession.
Unlike Lindsey Graham, who never married or had children, Nordone built a family of her own. She and Larry Nordone have two daughters, though their names and personal details have not been publicly disclosed.
Darline Graham Nordone’s bond with Lindsey Graham
Nordone and Lindsey Graham grew up in Central, South Carolina, where their parents ran a pool hall, bar and restaurant. Their mother died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1976, and about 15 months later, their father died of a heart attack, according to reports.
Nordone was 13 when their father died, leaving Lindsey Graham, who was in his early 20s, to take care of his younger sister.
NPR reported that Graham later became Nordone’s legal guardian after joining the US Air Force so she could receive his military benefits.
“Lindsey was always my parent,” Nordone told The New York Times. “There was no doubt in my mind or anyone else’s mind that Lindsey was my guardian.”
She also recalled how her brother supported her after the loss of their parents. “It was hard when we lost my mom and dad,” Nordone told NPR. “Lindsey assured me that he was going to take care of me, and he was going to be there for me. That’s just who he is.”
Darline Graham Nordone enters the US Senate
Following Lindsey Graham’s sudden death on July 11, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Nordone to fill his vacant Senate seat.
Although she had supported her brother during his political campaigns over the years, Nordone had never held elected office before her appointment.
She was sworn in on July 14, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the US Senate. She will serve the remainder of her brother’s term, which ends on Jan 3, 2027.
