Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister named to serve out the rest of her late brother’s term in U.S. Senate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (NBC, KYMA) - Gov. Henry McMaster (R-S.C.) has named Darlene Graham Nordone, Sen. Lindsey Graham's sister, to serve out the rest of her late brother's term in the U.S. Senate.

At a news conference in Columbia, South Carolina, Gov. McMaster announced the appointment.

"It's my duty to and honor to name someone to serve in the place of this irresistible man, this irreplaceable man, this extraordinary man, for the remainder of his term. Lindsey took care of his little sister in years long departed. 16:07:23 It's my honor to ask his little sister, Darlene Graham, to finish his work for him now. And by the way, Darlene, I don't know if I told you. But after we spoke on the phone in the wee hours of Sunday morning, and you agreed to serve through tears-- earlier, I had wondered what you would say. And I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve. And I called the president afterwards. And he thought it was a great idea. And I'm sure that everyone here does as well."

Gov. Henry McMaster (R-S.C.)

After being named to fill in for her brother, Graham Nordone expressed her thanks to the governor, saying it was "such an honor."

"I think this is what Lindsey would have wanted, and I plan to honor him in this way," Graham Nordon spoke. "Now, to Lindsey...I miss you more than I can even put into words. But I'm going to do this. I got it."

A few hours earlier, President Donald Trump wrote on social media that he recommended Graham Nordone be named to the position.

Sen. Graham died Saturday at the age of 71. His term ends January 3.