Lindsey Graham | |
|---|---|
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Chuck Grassley |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2003 Serving with Tim Scott | |
| Preceded by | Strom Thurmond |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Butler Derrick |
| Succeeded by | Gresham Barrett |
| In office January 12, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Lowell Ross |
| Succeeded by | Bill Sandifer III |
| Born | Lindsey Olin Graham (1955-07-09) July 9, 1955 (age 69) Central, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of South Carolina (BA, JD) |
| Website | Senate website |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1982–1988 (Active) 1989–1995 (Air National Guard) 1995–2015 (Reserve) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps |
Lindsey Olin Graham (born July 9, 1955) is an American politician who serves as the seniorUnited States Senator from South Carolina, serving in office since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He ran for President in 2016.
Graham was born on July 9, 1955 in Central, South Carolina.[1] his parents were Millie and Florence James "F.J." Graham. He studied at the University of South Carolina.
In 2002, Graham ran for the U.S. Senate after eight-term Republican incumbent Strom Thurmond announced his retirement. Graham won the primary unopposed and defeated Democratic opponent Alex Sanders in the general election.
Graham was re-elected to a second term in 2008, defeating Bob Conley. He won a third term in 2014, defeating Democrat Brad Hutto and IndependentThomas Ravenel.
Graham is known in the Senate for his support for a strong national defense, his support of the military, and as an advocate of strong United States leadership in world affairs.[2] He is also known for his willingness to be bipartisan and work with Democrats on issues like global warming, tax reform and immigration reform and his belief that judicial nominees should not be opposed solely on their philosophical positions.[3][4][5][6][7][8] He is also a critic of the Tea Party movement.
During his political career, Graham never lost an election.[9]
[change | change source]
See the main article: Lindsey Graham presidential campaign, 2016
On May 18, 2015, Graham informally announced his candidacy for President of the United States; he made a formal announcement on June 1 in his hometown of Central, South Carolina.[10] After low polling numbers, Graham withdrew from the race on December 21, 2015.[11] He later announced his support for Jeb Bush for president.
Graham has never been married and has no children. He was close friends with the late Arizona senator John McCain.