WASHINGTON, DC - Prominent U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham is dead following an unexpected and brief illness, his office announced on Saturday night.

"On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness," a statement from the late senator's office said. "Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," the statement said.

Senator Graham was a South Carolina Republican known as a conservative deal-maker and a hawkish voice on national defense. He was a strong ally to President Trump, and a golfing partner of his. He was also one of the staunchest supporters of Israel on Capitol Hill.

The senator met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier on Saturday in that country's capital. "Good meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Kyiv. This is already his 10th visit to our country, and we appreciate this support," the Ukrainian president said hours before the senator's death.

First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002, Graham won reelection in 2008, 2014, and 2020—becoming the first South Carolinian to top 1 million votes in a general election. At his death, he chaired the Senate Budget Committee and also served on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works panels.

A frequent visitor to U.S. troops overseas, Graham was a persistent advocate for robust military action in the War on Terror, earning praise from foreign-policy conservatives as one of the most prescient voices on global threats. Domestically, he pushed for spending cuts, entitlement reform, and reduced business regulation, winning "Taxpayer Hero" designations from fiscal watchdog groups.

Before the Senate, Graham served in the U.S. House (1994–2002)—the first Republican from South Carolina's 3rd District since 1877. A 33-year military veteran, he logged active-duty service as an Air Force lawyer (1984–1989), including a Germany posting, then served in the South Carolina Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves. He was called to active duty during the first Gulf War and later pulled reserve tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during congressional breaks. He retired as a colonel in 2015.

The son of a blue-collar family from Central, S.C., Graham was the first in his family to attend college, earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina. He lived in Seneca and was a member of Corinth Baptist Church.