South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced Thursday that he will schedule a special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Lindsey Graham's death on July 11. The governor's office confirmed the timeline complies with state law.

Graham, 71, was a dominant figure in Republican foreign policy for more than two decades. He died a day after returning from his 10th trip to Ukraine, removing one of the Senate's most prominent hawks and a close ally of President Donald Trump on national security matters.

Under South Carolina law, the governor must call a special election and may appoint a temporary replacement to serve until voters select a successor. Several Republicans, including members of the state's congressional delegation, have expressed interest in the seat, state party officials said.

The vacancy has national implications given the Senate's narrow margins and Graham's influential role in steering Ukraine aid and sanctions legislation. Republican leaders in Washington have signaled they want a swift, orderly process to maintain the party's working majority.

"South Carolina lost a giant, and we will honor his legacy by ensuring the people have their voice through a fair election," McMaster said in a statement.