South Carolina Senate Race Tightens as Graham's Sister Faces Strong Challenge
A new poll shows the race for Lindsey Graham's former Senate seat in South Carolina is tied, potentially flipping the seat blue for the first time in decades.
Republicans are facing a significant challenge in retaining the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina, once held by Lindsey Graham. His sister, Darline Graham, who is running in his place, is in a dead heat with her Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, according to a recent New York Times/Siena poll. The poll of 707 likely voters indicates each candidate has 48 percent support.
South Carolina has not elected a Democratic senator since 1998, when Fritz Hollings won his final term. President Donald Trump, a close friend of the late Senator Graham, has actively campaigned for Darline Graham, holding multiple rallies on her behalf. Trump has also criticized Andrews, using a derogatory nickname and accusing her of supporting policies such as open borders and defunding the police.
Andrews has countered by focusing on domestic issues and her background as a mother and pediatrician. A key criticism leveled against Darline Graham has been her perceived lack of policy experience, despite having supported her brother's political career for years. She had not previously held elected office before announcing her candidacy.
At a recent rally in Pendleton, South Carolina, Darline Graham spoke briefly, praising President Trump and calling him "one of Lindsey's greatest friends." The Republican Party has invested significant resources into the race, recently allocating an additional $5 million to support Graham's campaign, which Axios described as an "insurance policy" to keep the seat in Republican hands. Lindsey Graham had consistently won his elections by more than 10 percent.
