Wisconsin public officials on Sunday responded with shock and sympathy after the sudden death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who died Saturday following a brief illness, his office said.
The senator, 71, had served in the Senate since 2002 and returned recently from a trip to Ukraine, according to statements released by his staff. Reactions from Wisconsin lawmakers emphasized personal loss and respect for his long public career.
What Wisconsin leaders said
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin’s senior senator, described Graham as a friend and called his passing a profound loss.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened on the sudden passing of my friend and colleague, Lindsey Graham. He was a true American patriot who blended a wonderful sense of humor with a serious and dedicated sense of duty to our country,” Johnson wrote on social media.
Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin offered condolences to Graham’s family and staff and noted his decades of public service, including his military background and long tenure in Congress.
U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), whose district covers much of western Wisconsin, said he and his wife were saddened and asked for prayers for Graham’s family, staff and friends.
President Donald Trump, who said he had spoken with Graham hours before the senator’s death, called him “a great politician” and ordered flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-staff through Saturday evening, the White House said.
Local and national context
Graham’s death drew responses across party lines in Wisconsin, reflecting his national profile and longtime role in U.S. foreign and domestic policy debates. Officials focused on personal recollections and offered sympathy to the senator’s family, echoing national voices that described his ability to reach colleagues across the aisle.
- Ron Johnson — expressed shock and called Graham a “true American patriot.”
- Tammy Baldwin — extended condolences and noted Graham’s public service.
- Derrick Van Orden — asked Wisconsinites to pray for Graham’s family and staff.
| Official | Role | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Ron Johnson | U.S. senator (R-Wis.) | Called Graham a friend and patriot, expressed deep sadness. |
| Tammy Baldwin | U.S. senator (D-Wis.) | Sent condolences to Graham’s family, staff and South Carolina residents. |
| Derrick Van Orden | U.S. representative (R-Wis.) | Urged prayers for the family and staff; expressed personal sorrow. |
Officials in Wisconsin and elsewhere said details about Graham’s death and funeral arrangements would be provided as they become available. For now, state and federal leaders are publicly mourning a longtime figure in national politics.
— Brooke Steiner, Wisconsin correspondent
