Sen. Ted Cruz said Monday that the U.S. Senate has lost a one-of-a-kind lawmaker with the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, saying no one can truly replace the South Carolina Republican.
Speaking on his podcast, the Texas Republican reflected on Graham’s decades in public service and said his impact extended well beyond the legislation he championed.
“Nobody” can fill the void Graham leaves behind, Cruz said.
“He will be missed,” Cruz said. “He left a legacy that was extraordinary.”
While acknowledging that Graham sometimes divided opinion, Cruz said the senator’s patriotism and commitment to public service were never in doubt.
“Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, Lindsey loved this country, and he devoted every waking moment of his life to fighting for this country.”
Cruz said that sense of purpose defined Graham’s career and earned him lasting respect from colleagues across the political spectrum.
“That was his mission, and I admired that,” Cruz said. “I admired that it was real. It was genuine, and he made a profound difference.”
Cruz’s remarks add to a growing list of tributes from Republican leaders remembering Graham’s influence on the Senate, national security policy and conservative causes following his death.
Today we remember our friend Lindsey Graham.
We share stories, laughs, and the profound legacy he left behind.https://t.co/vyimyvgDu3 pic.twitter.com/furb9lgPzv
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 13, 2026
