Lindsey Graham's death prompts process to fill his Senate seat
A special election will be held in the coming weeks, according to state law.
WASHINGTON -- South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday at age 71, was up for reelection this year and won the state's Republican primary last month with almost 60% of the vote.
Graham's unexpected passing sets in motion processes that will ensure someone completes the remainder of Graham's current Senate term, which expires in January, and also elect someone to take his place on November's general election ballot.
Per state law, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will first appoint Graham's temporary replacement, after which he will set the date of a special primary election to elect a candidate to stand in Graham's place in the November election.
There is no statutory timeline for when the governor is required to make the appointment but he must by law announce the special election within five days after the appointment.
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ABC News has reached out to the South Carolina Election Commission, which oversees elections in the Palmetto State, about the timeline for the special election.
While it's not yet known who might toss their hat into the ring for the special election, Rep. Nancy Mace is considering it, a source close to Mace confirmed to ABC News. Mace is a staunch ally of President Donald Trump who vacated her House seat to make an unsuccessful bid for South Carolina governor this year.
Whoever wins the special primary will face Democratic nominee for Senate Annie Andrews in November.
