government
Bridge builder and 'Trump whisperer': Lindsey Graham's role in the Senate not easily filled
By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 13, 2026
· 5 min read
When Sen. Lindsey Graham’s phone number popped up on his call list, Sen. Chuck Schumer said his heart skipped a beat.It was shortly after the 2012 presidential election and Republicans had lost badly to President Barack Obama.Graham was calling with an outlandish proposal — “getting the band back...
Key takeaway It was shortly after the 2012 presidential election and Republicans had lost badly to President Barack Obama.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio , where community and bipartisanship are highly valued, the loss of Senator Lindsey Graham is felt deeply. As a city that thrives on collaboration and cooperation, Graham's ability to bring people together across party lines is a model for local leaders to follow. His legacy serves as a reminder that even in a highly polarized political climate, it is possible to find common ground and work towards the greater good. For San Antonio's own lawmakers, Graham's passing leaves a void in the Senate that will be difficult to fill, particularly when it comes to issues like immigration reform that are so critical to the city's diverse population. As the city continues to grow and evolve, it will be important for local leaders to draw on Graham's example and work towards building bridges, rather than walls, between different communities and interests.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Sen. Lindsey Graham’s phone number popped up on his call list, Sen. Chuck Schumer said his heart skipped a beat.It was shortly after the 2012 presidential election and Republicans had lost badly to President Barack Obama.Graham was calling with an outlandish proposal — “getting the band back...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter