Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday night, one day after returning from Ukraine. His death came four months before he was scheduled to face re-election.
The South Carolina Republican was 70 years old. No official cause of death has been released yet.
Graham had just completed a trip to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian leaders. He was a vocal supporter of continued U.S. aid to the country.
His final public appearance was on Friday, appearing visibly tired during a press conference. He returned to Washington that evening.
Graham served in the Senate since 2003, rising to become a key voice on foreign policy. He was known for shifting from a non-interventionist to a hawkish stance.
The senator’s death immediately alters the political landscape in South Carolina. The Republican primary was set for November, and Democrats were already positioning challengers.
Flags at the Capitol were lowered to half-staff early Sunday. Tributes poured in from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced. The governor will appoint an interim replacement until a special election can be held.
