South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham will visit Sarasota in November to receive the 2019 Statesman of the Year award from the Republican Party of Sarasota.

“Sen. Graham fits right in the mold with our previous Statesman winners, including President Donald Trump. Twice,” said Jack Brill, acting chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota.

“For a community the size of Sarasota, this list of Statesman Award winners is impressive and shows the importance of the region to Florida and on the national stage,” Brill said. “Sen. Graham continues to demonstrate that.”

Graham has been one of the most prominent allies and critics of President Trump, ardently defending the president against an impeachment investigation while also leveling criticism over disagreements on foreign policy including a recent decision to withdraw military support for Kurdish forces.

Republican leaders in Sarasota made note of Graham’s record of service, from six years of active duty as an Air Force attorney to eight years in the U.S. House before his election to the Senate in 2002.

Tickets to the dinner will run $125, and sponsorships are still available. More information is available at sarasotagop.com and at the official Eventbrite page for the event.

2019 Statesman of the Year