Democrat Annie Andrews has won South Carolina's US Senate seat, defeating Republican Darline Graham in a historic upset that flips the seat held by Republicans for nearly 30 years. Andrews becomes the first Democrat to win a Senate race in the state since 1998.
Graham, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year, sought to continue the legacy of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July at age 71. She was the first woman to represent South Carolina in the US Senate. Graham, 62, had spent nearly 30 years in obscure state government roles, most recently as head of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Unlike her brother, a prominent voice on national security and foreign policy, Darline Graham stated her focus was on domestic issues, admitting that "National security is not my thing" during a debate.
Despite her lack of national political experience, Graham ran on a conservative platform emphasizing immigration enforcement, gun rights, and opposition to abortion. She also diverged from former President Trump's stance on Russia, expressing distrust of Vladimir Putin. Trump endorsed Graham and campaigned with her in the final stretch, making the race a test of his influence in a state he carried by a significant margin in 2024.
Andrews, a 45-year-old pediatrician, campaigned on healthcare and affordability. With polls indicating a close contest, outside Republican groups invested millions in an effort to secure Graham's victory. However, the push was not enough to overcome Andrews' challenge.