Senate Race: Democrat Wins South Carolina Seat in Upset
Pediatrician Annie Andrews defeats appointed Republican Darline Graham, breaking a 28-year party streak in the state.
By Austin Reed ·
Annie Andrews, a 45-year-old pediatrician, is projected to win the South Carolina Senate seat on Monday. This result flips the seat to the Democrats and marks the first time the state has elected a Democratic senator since 1998.
Andrews defeated Darline Graham, the 62-year-old incumbent. Graham was appointed to the seat in July following the sudden death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. She subsequently won a special primary election to secure a full six-year term. Before her appointment, Graham served as the commissioner for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
The race was more competitive than initial projections suggested. Andrews campaigned on healthcare access, affordability, and corruption in Washington. She criticized Graham for a lack of experience, citing a comment from the condensed primary where Graham said she was “not that informed on national security.”
Republican spending groups made substantial efforts to support Graham. The Senate Leadership Fund provided funding in October, and MAGA Inc., a super PAC controlled by President Trump, gave Graham $827,000 in August. President Trump also campaigned heavily for Graham after encouraging her to run for the seat.
Despite these financial and political efforts, the campaigns did not secure a victory for the Republican side. The state had supported President Trump by 18 points in the 2024 election, making Andrews' win a notable shift in the local political market.
