Florida elected officials from both chambers of Congress, along with the state's two U.S. senators, are mourning the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham following news that broke on Sunday. Tributes have poured in praising his decades of military service, extensive work in national security, and bipartisan efforts regarding immigration policy. The outpouring of condolences highlights the deep connections between Florida lawmakers and the South Carolina Republican who served more than two decades in the Senate after representing the state in the U.S. House.
Senate Leadership Honors a Dedicated Public Servant
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, one of Florida's senior senators, described Graham as "a good friend and a dedicated public servant." Along with his wife, Anne, Scott stated they were "shocked and heartbroken" by the news. In a formal statement, Scott emphasized that through his time in the Air Force and Congress, Graham dedicated his career to America's national defense and freedom around the world. He noted he was grateful for their work together and expressed that Graham will be greatly missed as both a legislator and a friend.
Florida’s other Republican senator, Ashley Moody, also honored Graham, describing him as a uniquely gifted communicator and lawmaker. "My family and I mourn the sudden passing of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham," Moody said in her tribute. She highlighted his rhetorical abilities, stating that there are people who can change the atmosphere of a room through wit, humor, well-placed arguments, reason, or impassioned appeals. According to Moody, Graham had the uncanny ability to pull all these elements off at once.
South Florida Lawmakers Reflect on Legislative Legacy
Lawmakers from South Florida also reflected on Graham's significant influence in Washington. U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez said that Graham leaves behind "a legacy of dedicated public service, a commitment to national security, and an unwavering fight for freedom." Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar highlighted Graham’s years-long work on immigration reform. She noted his key role in discussions surrounding bipartisan immigration proposals, including the DIGNITY Act of 2025.
Salazar added that few people in Washington fought longer or harder to fix a broken immigration system than Graham did. She expressed gratitude for his counsel and commitment to finding legislative solutions during their time working together on these critical issues. The tributes from South Florida representatives underscore the specific impact Graham had on policy discussions relevant to states with large immigrant populations, more details at Univision.
Political Allies Remember Courage and Conviction
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is currently running for governor of Florida, stated that Graham dedicated his life to serving the country both in the U.S. Air Force and in Congress. "He was an incredibly effective lawmaker who always led with courage and deep conviction," Donalds said. He emphasized that Graham did what he thought was right even when it was not popular, leaving behind a massive legacy of leadership.
Additionally, Dariel Fernandez, Miami-Dade County’s tax collector, honored Sen. Lindsey Graham by praising his steadfast support for freedom, democracy, and human rights. The tribute specifically highlighted Graham's outspoken stance against Cuba's communist dictatorship. Shared in both English and Spanish, the statement thanked Graham for leadership that gave hope to millions dreaming of a free Cuba. Fernandez noted that Graham always put the American people first and was never afraid to tell the world the truth about the situation in Cuba.
