parks
Lindsey Graham's journey from a pool hall to the heights of political power
By Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 12, 2026
· 8 min read
Lindsey Graham, the garrulous son of South Carolina pool hall owners, rose to become a fixture on the global stage and one of the most prominent advocates of American military might in the U.S. Senate.A former military lawyer who reached the rank of colonel in the Air Force, the wisecracking Grah...
Key takeaway He ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 as a determined opponent of Donald Trump, then became one of the new president's staunchest allies.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The passing of Senator Lindsey Graham may seem like a distant event to San Antonio residents, but his influence on national politics has a ripple effect on local issues. As a prominent advocate for American military might, Graham's stance on foreign policy and national security has implications for the city's military bases and defense industry. San Antonio is home to several major military installations, including Lackland Air Force Base, and the city's economy is closely tied to the defense sector. Graham's ability to work across party lines and build relationships with colleagues from different political backgrounds is a valuable lesson for local leaders, who often face complex challenges that require cooperation and collaboration. As San Antonio continues to grow and evolve, the city's leaders would do well to remember Graham's example of building bridges and finding common ground, even in the face of adversity.
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: parks ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lindsey Graham, the garrulous son of South Carolina pool hall owners, rose to become a fixture on the global stage and one of the most prominent advocates of American military might in the U.S. Senate.A former military lawyer who reached the rank of colonel in the Air Force, the wisecracking Grah...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Nicholas Riccardi, 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 parks coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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