Upstate community mourns US Senator Graham, who passed away at 71 years old.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71, according to WBTV and multiple news outlets across the country. The Republican senator from South Carolina had represented his state for decades and was a well-known figure in national politics.
Communities across the Upstate South Carolina region are now reacting to the news of his passing. Tributes and remembrances have poured in from residents, local leaders, and political figures, according to WSMV.
Graham was a fixture in South Carolina politics for more than 30 years. He served in the U.S. House before winning a Senate seat in 2002. Many in the Upstate region knew him as a constant presence at local events and town halls, according to WDBJ7.
Residents and local officials described Graham as someone who stayed connected to his home state. Community members gathered in several Upstate locations to share memories and express grief, according to Cleveland 19.
News of Graham's death drew reactions from politicians on both sides of the aisle. He was known for reaching across party lines at key moments in his career, even as he remained a reliable conservative voice, according to KY3.
National figures began issuing statements within hours of the announcement. Graham's long tenure in the Senate, spanning over 20 years, meant he had built relationships with colleagues from across the political spectrum, according to KCRG.
Graham sat on several powerful Senate committees during his career, including Armed Services and Judiciary. He was a vocal supporter of U.S. military funding and played a major role in debates over foreign policy, according to AZ Family.
He ran for president in 2015 but ended his campaign early. Over the years, he became one of the most recognizable faces in the U.S. Senate, according to KPTV.
With Graham's passing, South Carolina's governor will need to appoint someone to fill the seat. Under South Carolina law, a special election would then be held to choose a permanent replacement, according to 1011 Now.
The open seat is expected to draw significant attention from the state's Republican Party. South Carolina has been a reliably red state, and the seat is seen as one the GOP will work hard to keep, according to FOX 10.
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