Sen. Lindsey Graham dead at 71

(NBC, KYMA) - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who was elected to the Senate in 2003 and was a close political ally of President Donald Trump, has died, his office confirmed early Sunday.

A statement provided by his office says Sen. Graham died Saturday night "from a brief and sudden illness."

Graham was Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was seeking a fifth six-year senate term in November. He was one of the most well-known members of the chamber and a key voice within the party on defense and international affairs.

According to police scanner audio obtained by NBC News, emergency personnel responded to a call for "cardiac arrest" at Graham's Capitol Hill home Saturday night.

Graham was 71 at the time of his death.