Trump’s South Carolina Pick Falls as Republicans Blame His Intervention

The defeat of Trump-backed Darline Graham by Democrat Annie Andrews has shaken South Carolina Republicans, who had long held the Senate seat previously occupied by Lindsey Graham. The senator died in July, and Trump backed his sister, a political newcomer, to replace him.

Trump’s Senate Pick Loses as South Carolina Republicans Reject His Intervention

Trump’s intervention in South Carolina’s Senate race failed to secure the seat for Republicans. After Lindsey Graham died in July, the president backed his sister, Darline, a first-time candidate. Democrat Annie Andrews defeated her last week and carried Greenville County, a conservative stronghold Trump won by 22 points in 2024.

Republican critics have blamed Trump’s choice for weakening the party in a state they expected to withstand the Democratic wave. Former Greenville County GOP chairman Nathan Leupp said the president had damaged the party’s prospects by selecting the nominee. Steve Pettit, who once led Bob Jones University, also described the result as a response to Trump.

The campaign unfolded amid local Republican infighting. Graham defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in an August runoff, then entered the general election with far less money than Andrews: about $2 million to her $24 million. Trump made three campaign stops for Graham but could not prevent her defeat.

Former Republican Gov. David Beasley endorsed Andrews alongside former Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges. Beasley said Trump’s treatment of Andrews had outraged him and that he no longer identified with the Republican Party. The loss has intensified divisions between MAGA activists and longtime party figures.

South Carolina Loss Exposes GOP Infighting and Weak Candidate Choice

South Carolina Republicans lost a Senate seat they had held for decades, but the result points to more than a dispute over President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham last week after a bitter Republican contest and a campaign in which Andrews raised about $24 million to Graham’s $2 million.

Trump backed Graham after her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham, died in July. She then beat Rep. Ralph Norman in an August runoff. The contest left the party dealing with local infighting between MAGA activists and longtime Republicans, while Andrews campaigned on living costs and health care.

Trump visited South Carolina three times to support Graham. Still, Andrews won Greenville County, which Trump carried by 22 points in 2024. Her victory shows the danger of assuming a conservative state will remain safely Republican, especially when the party is divided and its nominee faces a major financial disadvantage.

Some Republicans have directed their anger at Trump’s choice, while others have criticized the party’s broader performance. Former Republican Gov. David Beasley endorsed Andrews with former Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges and said he no longer considers himself a Republican. The defeat has laid bare the rifts confronting the state GOP.