Childhood and Education Journey of Lindsey Graham in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Lindsey Graham. From birth to education, explore key events.

Lindsey Graham is an American politician and attorney currently serving as a U.S. Senator for South Carolina since 2003. As a member of the Republican Party, he previously chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021. Graham's career has been marked by his presence in national politics and involvement in legal and legislative matters.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 9, 1955: Lindsey Graham's Birth

On July 9, 1955, Lindsey Olin Graham was born. He is an American politician and attorney who has served as a U.S. Senator for South Carolina since 2003.

Others born on this day/year

1977: Graduated with B.A. in Psychology

In 1977, Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in psychology.

1981: Graduated from Law School

In 1981, Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law with a J.D.

1981: Received Juris Doctor Degree

In 1981, Graham received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

1996: Voted for the Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, Lindsey Graham voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as between one man and one woman and enacted non-recognition of same-sex marriages at the federal level.

2000: Supports John McCain for president

In 2000, Lindsey Graham supported John McCain's presidential bid.

2006: Supported a constitutional amendment opposing same-sex marriage

In 2006, Lindsey Graham voted to support a constitutional amendment opposing marriage between same-sex couples, stating his belief in the traditional definition of marriage and the need to protect it. He believed a constitutional amendment was the only effective way to address judicial trends towards recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

2008: Serves as national co-chair of McCain's presidential campaign

In 2008, Lindsey Graham served as the national co-chair of John McCain's presidential campaign.

June 2010: Stated the science about global warming has changed

In June 2010, Lindsey Graham told reporters that the science about global warming had changed and that the movement had taken a giant step backward. He also said that he planned to vote against the climate bill he had originally co-sponsored.

2010: Start of suspicious contributions to Graham

Between 2010 and 2014, the Thornton Law Firm and its partners engaged in practices to reimburse political contributions, raising suspicions about campaign donation habits.

April 2012: Endorses Mitt Romney after Santorum withdraws

After Rick Santorum withdrew from the race in April 2012, leaving Mitt Romney as the presumptive nominee, Lindsey Graham endorsed Romney for president.

June 2012: Supports closing tax loopholes

Despite signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, in June 2012, Lindsey Graham supported the closure of tax loopholes without compensating decreases in other tax revenue due to the country's significant debt.

October 2014: Hints at potential presidential run

During his Senate reelection race in October 2014, Lindsey Graham hinted at a potential presidential run if no one else stepped up to address key issues like immigration and foreign policy.

2014: Suspicious contributions to Graham

Between 2010 and 2014, the Thornton Law Firm and its partners engaged in practices to reimburse political contributions, raising suspicions about campaign donation habits.

March 7, 2015: Advocates for reversing defense spending cuts

On March 7, 2015, at a "Politics and Pies" forum, Lindsey Graham advocated for reversing defense spending cuts and jokingly suggested using the military to keep Congress in town until the issue was resolved.

March 2015: Supports Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen

In March 2015, Lindsey Graham voiced his support for the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, emphasizing the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia and their shared opposition to Iran.

April 19, 2015: Expresses high certainty about running for president

On April 19, 2015, Lindsey Graham stated on Fox News Sunday that he was "91% sure" he would run for president if he could raise the necessary funds.

May 18, 2015: Informally announces presidential run

On May 18, 2015, Lindsey Graham informally announced his candidacy for president on CBS This Morning, citing concerns about the state of the world as his motivation.

June 1, 2015: Announces candidacy for President

Lindsey Graham formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States on June 1, 2015.

June 17, 2015: Responds to Charleston church shooting

Following the mass shooting at a historic African American church in Charleston on June 17, 2015, Lindsey Graham canceled campaign events and addressed questions about the Confederate flag, stating it was time for South Carolinians to revisit its presence at the State Capitol while also attributing the shooting to the individual's actions, not external influences like books, movies, or symbols.

December 21, 2015: Suspends presidential campaign

On December 21, 2015, Lindsey Graham suspended his presidential campaign due to a lack of support and poor polling results.

2015: Accepted climate change as real

In 2015, Lindsey Graham stated that he "completely understand[s] and accept[s]" that climate change is real but said "I don't know" the role human activity played.

January 15, 2016: Endorses Jeb Bush for president

On January 15, 2016, Lindsey Graham endorsed former Florida Governor Jeb Bush for president.

May 2016: Announces he will not vote for Trump or Clinton

In May 2016, after it appeared certain that Donald Trump would become the Republican nominee, Lindsey Graham announced that he would not vote for either Trump or Hillary Clinton.

November 8, 2016: Votes for Evan McMullin

On November 8, 2016, Lindsey Graham announced that he had voted for Evan McMullin for president.

2016: Criticized Donald Trump's Candidacy

During the 2016 election, Graham was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump's candidacy.

2016: Russian interference in the election

In 2016, Graham was involved in the investigation into Russian interference in the election.

2016: Sister introduces Graham at presidential announcement

In 2016, Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, introduced him at his announcement of his candidacy for president.

2016: Report on campaign contributions from Thornton Law Firm

In 2016, it was reported that Lindsey Graham was the only Republican recipient of money from the Thornton Law Firm, a major Democratic donor facing scrutiny for questionable campaign donation habits.

March 2017: Became Staunch Trump Ally

After a March 2017 meeting with Donald Trump, Graham became a staunch ally of his.

January 2018: Recommends charges against Christopher Steele

In January 2018, Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley recommended charges against ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele, the author of the Steele dossier, for allegedly lying to federal authorities during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

April 2018: Introduces legislation to limit Trump's ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller

In April 2018, Lindsey Graham, along with Cory Booker, Chris Coons, and Thom Tillis, introduced the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act, legislation aimed at limiting President Trump's ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller by allowing an expedited judicial review of any dismissal.

March 14, 2019: Blocks resolution calling for Mueller's report to be made public

On March 14, 2019, Lindsey Graham blocked a resolution that called for Robert Mueller's report to be made public after the House had unanimously passed it.

June 2019: Votes to block Trump's Saudi arms deal

In June 2019, Lindsey Graham was among a minority of Republicans who voted to block President Trump's arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, as well as voting against additional arms sales.

June 25, 2019: Claims Trump cooperated with Mueller investigation

On June 25, 2019, Lindsey Graham stated that President Trump fully cooperated with the Mueller investigation, providing documents and allowing his lawyer Don McGahn to testify extensively.

July 24, 2019: Speculates on Mueller report after testimony

After Robert Mueller's testimony to congressional committees on July 24, 2019, Lindsey Graham speculated that the Mueller report was in name only and not actually written by Mueller.

October 2019: Threatens sanctions against Turkey if they invade Syria

In October 2019, Lindsey Graham stated his intention to introduce bipartisan sanctions against Turkey should they invade Syria, and also threatened to call for Turkey's suspension from NATO if they attacked Kurdish forces allied with the U.S.

November 2019: Blocks Senate resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide

In November 2019, Lindsey Graham initially blocked a Senate resolution aimed at officially recognizing the Armenian genocide.

December 2019: Votes for resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide

In December 2019, Lindsey Graham voted in favor of a resolution to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, which passed the Senate unanimously.

August 2022: Stated states should decide the issue of marriage

In August 2022, after the House approved a bill to recognize same-sex marriages, Lindsey Graham stated that individual states should decide the issue of marriage and opposed the federal government taking over defining marriage.

2022: Reiterated support of the Defense of Marriage Act

In 2022, Lindsey Graham reiterated his support of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman and enacted non-recognition of same-sex marriages at the federal level.