U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare (R) paid tribute to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) after his sudden death, while Van Duyne condemned what she called “vile and disgusting attacks” celebrating the senator’s passing.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Graham died Saturday evening after a brief and sudden illness, according to a statement from his office. He was 71.
Preliminary findings later attributed his death to an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia has not issued a final death certificate.
Van Duyne recalls Graham’s campaign support
Van Duyne, whose district includes portions of Dallas and Tarrant counties, described the news as shocking in a Facebook post.
“Like the rest of my colleagues in Congress, I awoke this morning to the shocking news of Lindsey Graham’s sudden, and suspicious, passing,” Van Duyne wrote.
Van Duyne did not explain why she described Graham’s death as “suspicious.” She said Graham supported her during her first campaign and helped promote her candidacy.
“The Senate will have a glaring hole that no single person will be able to fill,” Van Duyne wrote.
She also condemned online reactions to Graham’s death.
“As shocking as Sen. Graham’s passing has been, so too have the vile and disgusting attacks celebrating his death. I will have more to say on this later.”
Her comments followed a Monday DX report on Facebook content attributed to Texas House District 97 Democratic candidate Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin and Tarrant County Democratic Party Vice Chair Patrice Jones after Graham’s death. The earlier report documented the posts and the criticism they drew.
Van Duyne concluded: “For now, I pray the Lord will bring comfort to his family, friends, and congressional staff who worked so hard to support Sen. Graham’s important work on behalf of President Trump and our nation. Rest in peace faithful servant.”
O’Hare remembers Graham’s wit and patriotism
O’Hare offered condolences in a separate Facebook post and said he met Graham several years ago.
“Christen and I were saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham,” O’Hare wrote. “I met him several years ago.”
“He was engaging, witty, self-deprecating, and had a strong passion for our country,” O’Hare wrote.
“Our prayers are with his family, friends, and staff during this difficult time,” he added.
Provided by Dallas Express
