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 senior United States Senator for South Carolina since 2003. Affiliated with the Republican Party, he previously held the position of Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary from 2019 to 2021. Graham's career is primarily defined by his long tenure in the Senate and leadership roles within the Republican party.

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.

Others born on this day/year

1966: Fritz Hollings became Senator

In 2002, Graham became South Carolina's first new U.S. senator since Fritz Hollings in 1966.

1977: Graduated with B.A. in Psychology

In 1977, Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

1981: Graduated from Law School

In 1981, Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

1984: Featured on 60 Minutes

In 1984, Graham was featured on an episode of "60 Minutes" while defending an Air Force pilot accused of marijuana use, which exposed defective drug-testing procedures in the Air Force.

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1994: Write-in Votes in Election

In 1994, write-in candidates received 13 votes.

2000: Support for John McCain for President

In 2000, Lindsey Graham supported John McCain for president.

2000: Natural Law Candidate LeRoy J. Klein and Write-in Votes

In 2000, Natural Law candidate LeRoy J. Klein received 1,122 votes, and write-in candidates received 33 votes.

2008: National Co-Chair of McCain's Presidential Campaign

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

2010: Campaign Contributions from Thornton Law Firm

Between 2010 and 2014, partners and one of their wives from the Thornton Law Firm contributed $1.6 million to politicians, with $1.4 million being reimbursed to the partners from the firm.

April 2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney for President

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

June 2012: Support for Closing Tax Loopholes

In June 2012, despite having signed Grover Norquist's Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Lindsey Graham went on record supporting the closure of tax loopholes without compensating decreases in other tax revenue, arguing that the country's debt necessitated compromising on ideological grounds.

October 2014: Hinting at a Presidential Run

During his Senate reelection race in October 2014, Lindsey Graham, while discussing immigration and foreign policy, suggested that he might run for president if no one else stepped up to address these issues.

2014: Campaign Contributions from Thornton Law Firm

Between 2010 and 2014, partners and one of their wives from the Thornton Law Firm contributed $1.6 million to politicians, with $1.4 million being reimbursed to the partners from the firm.

March 7, 2015: Advocating Reversal of Defense Spending Cuts

On March 7, 2015, at a "Politics and Pies" forum, Lindsey Graham advocated for reversing defense spending cuts and jokingly stated that, as President, he would use the military to keep Congress in session until the issue was resolved.

March 2015: Support for 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: Indicating Potential Presidential Run

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: Informal Presidential Campaign Announcement

On May 18, 2015, Lindsey Graham informally announced his candidacy for president on CBS This Morning, citing his belief that "the world is falling apart" as his reason for running.

June 1, 2015: Announcement of Candidacy for President

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

June 17, 2015: Response to Charleston Church Shooting

Following the mass shooting at an African American church in Charleston on June 17, 2015, Lindsey Graham canceled campaign events to return to South Carolina. He addressed the controversy surrounding the Confederate flag, suggesting it was time for South Carolina to revisit its presence on the State Capitol grounds. He also attributed the shooting to the individual's actions, rather than external influences like books, movies, or symbols.

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December 21, 2015: Suspension of Presidential Campaign

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

January 15, 2016: Endorsement of Jeb Bush

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

May 2016: Opposition to Donald Trump's Candidacy

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

November 8, 2016: Vote for Evan McMullin

On November 8, 2016, Lindsey Graham announced that he had voted for Evan McMullin in the presidential election.

2016: Sister's Introduction at Presidential Candidacy Announcement

In 2016, Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, introduced him at his announcement of his candidacy for president. She also mentioned that she hoped to be with him on the campaign trail frequently to show voters his softer side.

2016: Report on Campaign Contributions from Thornton Law Firm

In 2016, The Boston Globe reported that Lindsey Graham was "the only Republican recipient of money from a major Democratic donor now facing scrutiny for some questionable campaign donation habits," referring to the Thornton Law Firm. The firm was known for asbestos-related litigation, and Graham received $62,800 in campaign contributions from the firm's partners over a ten-year period.

2016: Liberation of the city from ISIS

In 2016, the Manbij Military Council led an offensive to liberate the city of Manbij from ISIS with help from the US-led coalition.

2016: Russian Interference in the election

In 2016, the investigation into Russian interference in the election began.

October 2017: Remarks on U.S. Military Presence in Niger After Tongo Tongo Ambush

In October 2017, following the Tongo Tongo ambush that resulted in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers, Lindsey Graham expressed surprise at the extent of U.S. troop presence in Niger, stating, "I didn't know there was a thousand troops in Niger." He later advocated for an expanded U.S. military role in Africa, indicating more frequent actions and increased aggression towards enemies, with decisions potentially being made in the field.

January 2018: Congressional Criminal Referral in Russian Interference Investigation

In January 2018, Lindsey Graham, along with Chuck Grassley, recommended charges against ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele, author of the Steele dossier, for allegedly lying to federal authorities. This was the first known congressional criminal referral in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

April 2018: Introduction of Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act

In April 2018, following the FBI raid on Michael Cohen's offices, Lindsey Graham, along with Cory Booker, Chris Coons, and Thom Tillis, introduced the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act. This legislation aimed to limit President Trump's ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller by allowing for an expedited judicial review of any dismissal, with the possibility of reinstatement if deemed inappropriate.

July 2018: Visit to Manbij, Syria

In July 2018, Lindsey Graham, along with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, visited Manbij in Syria. They met with the Manbij Military Council, which had led an offensive to liberate the city from ISIS with support from the US-led coalition.

March 14, 2019: Blocking Resolution to Make Mueller's Report Public

On March 14, 2019, Lindsey Graham blocked a resolution that called for Robert Mueller's report to be made public, despite the resolution having passed unanimously in the House of Representatives.

June 2019: Vote 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 Saudi arms deal, which aimed to provide weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. He also voted against an additional 20 arms sales.

June 25, 2019: Statement on Trump's Cooperation with Mueller Investigation

On June 25, 2019, Lindsey Graham stated that President Trump had provided 1.4 million documents to Mueller, and that Don McGahn, Trump's lawyer, testified for 30 hours, claiming Trump made everyone available and answered questions in writing, implying Trump did not hinder Mueller's investigation.

July 24, 2019: Speculation on Mueller's Report

After Robert Mueller's testimony to congressional committees on July 24, 2019, Lindsey Graham speculated that the "Mueller report is in name only" and suggested it was not genuinely Mueller's work.

October 2019: Threat of Sanctions Against Turkey for Invading Syria

In October 2019, Lindsey Graham announced his intention to introduce bipartisan sanctions against Turkey should they invade Syria. He also stated he would call for Turkey's suspension from NATO if they attacked Kurdish forces who had assisted the U.S. in the fight against ISIS.

November 2019: Blocking of Senate Resolution on Armenian Genocide

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

December 2019: Vote for Senate Resolution on Armenian Genocide

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