‘Very surprised’: Political expert, voters discuss Lindsey Graham’s legacy following sudden death

SOUTH CAROLINA — Flags are flying at half-staff at the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and across South Carolina in honor of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The longtime Republican died Saturday at the age of 71.

On Sunday, the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia released his cause of death; an aortic dissection, which is a tear in the wall of the body’s main artery.

Known for his work in foreign affairs, and as a close advisor to President Donald Trump, Sen. Graham just recently won the Republican nomination as he sought a fifth term.

Graham has been a public servant for more than 30 years, but on Sunday morning, his constituents woke up to he news that he is gone.

Channel 9’s Glenn Counts spoke with a political expert and voters about Graham’s legacy.

“Very surprised. I was incredibly surprised,” said Evan Miller, a SC resident.

“This seemingly came out of nowhere,” said Dr. Scott Huffmon, a political science professor at Winthrop University. “Our politics are going to be a little less interesting going forward.”

Huffmon says Graham was never fully embraced in South Carolina.

“As a politician, I appreciate what he did for our country and our state. However, I was not the biggest fan,” said Brooke Fraites, another resident.

“He has always been above water, meaning more Republicans approved of him than disapproved of him,” Huffmon said. “Among Republican elected officials in South Carolina, he is among the lowest, he has the lowest approval among Republicans.”

Yet Graham always survived and was well on his way to getting reelected.

“Lindsey Graham has one of the best survivor instincts of a political I have ever seen. Graham knew which way the wind blew every time,” Huffmon said.

Of course now there is an open Senate seat, and the race has already begun.

“I really expect a lot of elbows, a lot of struggling, and a whole bunch of behind the scenes horse trading going on,” Huffmon said.

We asked Huffmon where he believes Graham will rank on a list of South Carolina political figures. He said it’s too early for history to pass judgement.

Channel 9 also spoke with Kevin Bishop, a friend and longtime aide for Graham. He described what he’ll remember from their 27-year history together.

“Lindsey inspired loyalty. He was a tremendous guy to be around. He had a wicked sense of humor,” Bishop said. “I always tell people he could have made a living as a standup comedian. He was literally one of the funniest people you ever met. He never took himself too seriously.”

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