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Beneath the Capitol dome, Senator Darline Graham stood behind her older brother’s casket stoically on Tuesday as his colleagues in Washington paid tribute to the South Carolina Republican.
For the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died this month at 71 having never married, his sister was the closest thing to a political spouse that he had. So as world leaders and politicians gathered in Washington to honor him, all eyes were on a somber Ms. Graham, grieving publicly as she juggled her new roles as her brother’s interim replacement and a candidate in a crowded Republican primary to succeed him.
Ms. Graham maintained her composure as officials memorialized Mr. Graham, occasionally dabbing her eyes with a tissue while his Republican colleagues shared stories of the longtime U.S. senator’s larger-than-life personality.
It wasn’t until Ms. Graham approached her brother’s casket in the Capitol Rotunda that tears appeared to trickle down her cheeks.
Ms. Graham placed her palm on the coffin draped with an American flag, her eyes welling up as she reached out to touch it.
Ms. Graham, who was tapped by Gov. Henry McMaster days after her brother’s death to serve as the interim Republican South Carolina senator, now has President Trump’s endorsement in the race to succeed him in the Senate. Mr. Graham died suddenly this month from what officials have preliminarily said was a tear in his aorta.
She has told friends that she was campaigning for the job not because of personal ambition, but rather a desire to honor Mr. Graham, who became her legal guardian as a child after their parents died.
Still, Tuesday’s back-to-back events on Capitol Hill and at the National Cathedral honoring the late senator reflected the reality that Ms. Graham faces as she holds public office for the first time and dives headlong into the crowded race for his seat, all while mourning her brother’s sudden death.
As Vice President JD Vance and other Republicans eulogized Mr. Graham at the Capitol, they at times spoke directly to his sister, who had been his frequent companion at public gatherings during his long political career.
Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota and the majority leader, gave condolences to Ms. Graham and her family before he turned toward the coffin and said, through tears, “I look forward to the days when you make us all laugh again.”
In a prayer for the Graham family, Representative Sheri Biggs, Republican of South Carolina, asked that “God continue to show each of us grace that we do not deserve.”
As Ms. Biggs left the podium, Ms. Graham grabbed a cross pendant dangling from her necklace and nodded.
Mr. Graham’s sudden death has set in motion a rapid primary to succeed him, in which Ms. Graham is one of nine Republicans vying for their party’s nomination.
In the interim, Ms. Graham was appointed to fill Mr. Graham’s seat through the remainder of his term ending in January.
On Tuesday, Ms. Graham listened to stories of Mr. Graham’s legacy on Capitol Hill, where he had a reputation for being a skilled debater, a backroom negotiator and a wisecracking character.
“He could be the person you argued with and fought with in one minute, but behind the scenes, without collecting an ounce of credit, he was working for you,” Mr. Vance said.
Ms. Graham looked up at the vice president and smiled slightly, and then turned to the casket and appeared to sigh.
