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Graham was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was running for a fifth six-year term in the Senate this November.

One of the chamber’s most recognizable members, he was a leading voice within his party on defense and foreign policy issues.

A senior Graham aide told NBC News early Sunday that there had been no indication the senator was experiencing health problems before his death.

Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC News’ Meet the Press Sunday morning, a program on which he had been a frequent guest, making 63 appearances over the years.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune paid tribute to a “strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe,” while South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Graham had been “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend.”

Per South Carolina law, McMaster will have to appoint someone to fill Graham’s seat until Jan. 3, 2027. It’s not clear yet who he will choose.

Graham secured the Republican nomination for a fifth Senate term in June after defeating several primary challengers.

With the general election scheduled for November, South Carolina Republicans must now select a new nominee, with state election law expected to require a special primary by Aug. 11.

Just days before his death, Graham had traveled to Kyiv, where he met Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.