Andrews Flips South Carolina Senate Seat in Major Upset
On November 3, pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Senate race, a major upset in a state President Donald Trump won by about 18 points in 2024. With roughly 86% of expected votes counted, Andrews was ahead about 51% to 47%. She will be the first Democrat elected to the state’s Senate seat since 1998 and the first woman elected to a full Senate term there.
Graham took the seat after Gov. Henry McMaster named her in July as the successor to her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly. She won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman, then campaigned on conservative positions and support for Trump’s agenda.
Her campaign was damaged by questions about her preparation for the Senate. During a primary debate, she said she was not well informed on national security, a remark Andrews repeatedly used to argue Graham was unready for a six-year term. Trump campaigned for Graham in the final weeks, but his backing did not secure a win.
Andrews, a political newcomer who had previously run unsuccessfully for Congress, emphasized healthcare and affordability. The contest grew more competitive late in the campaign, drawing millions in spending from outside groups. Andrews’ victory gives Democrats an unexpected Senate pickup.
South Carolina Voters Reject Trump’s Senate Pick
South Carolina voters rejected President Donald Trump’s handpicked Senate candidate on November 3, choosing pediatrician Annie Andrews over Republican Sen. Darline Graham. Andrews led roughly 51% to 47% with most expected votes counted, delivering Democrats an extraordinary pickup in a state Trump carried by about 18 points in 2024.
Trump campaigned for Graham in the final stretch, but his endorsement could not erase concerns about her readiness for the job. Graham, appointed after her brother Lindsey Graham’s death, drew criticism after saying during a debate that she was not well informed on national security. Andrews made that admission a central argument against giving her opponent a full Senate term.
Andrews focused on healthcare and affordability, bringing her experience as a pediatrician to a race against a candidate whose political rise was propelled by Trump’s support. Graham won the Republican nomination after a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman, but the campaign’s late surge in competitiveness showed that party loyalty and presidential backing were not enough to hold the seat.
The result ends nearly three decades of Republican Senate victories in South Carolina. Andrews will be the first Democrat elected to the seat since 1998 and the first woman elected to a full Senate term for the state.
Andrews’ South Carolina Win Puts Democratic Priorities to the Test
Democrats scored a rare South Carolina Senate victory on November 3, as pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham by about 51% to 47% with most expected votes counted. The upset ends nearly three decades of Republican wins in the state and gives Democrats an unexpected pickup.
Andrews campaigned on healthcare and affordability, while Graham emphasized conservative positions and support for President Donald Trump’s agenda. The race turned sharply competitive after Graham’s comment during a primary debate that she was not well informed on national security. Andrews used that remark to challenge her opponent’s fitness for a six-year term, and Republicans’ late efforts—including Trump’s campaign appearances—failed to save the seat.
Graham had been appointed to succeed her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman. Her loss in a state Trump carried by about 18 points in 2024 is a setback for the president and his party, whose campaign support did not persuade enough voters to keep the seat.
Andrews will be the first Democrat elected to South Carolina’s Senate seat since 1998 and the first woman elected to a full Senate term for the state. Her victory puts a new Democratic voice in a state where Republicans have held the advantage for years.
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