South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has picked Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), to finish out the remainder of his term after his sudden death from a heart attack at the age of 71 on Saturday.

Graham assumed the role of legal guardian for Nordone after the death of their parents, taking care of her and raising her until adulthood. Though he himself never married, the two were very close, with Nordone often appearing at his side at campaign events, sometimes with her children and grandchildren.

Nordone will be sworn in this week and will become the first woman to represent the state in the United States Senate.

“It is such an honor,” Nordone said. “Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him.”

“To Lindsey, I miss you more than I can even put into words,” she added emotionally. “But I’m going to do this. I got it.”

“I had wondered what you would say, and I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve,” McMaster said, after explaining that he had spoken to Nordone after Graham’s death early Sunday morning and asked her to serve. He also said that President Donald Trump “thought it was a great idea.” The president had posted earlier in the day his support for such a move.