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Politics · November 3, 2026

Democrat Annie Andrews Defeats GOP Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina Senate Race

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Democrat Annie Andrews has defeated Republican incumbent Darline Graham to win a South Carolina U.S. Senate seat, marking the first Democratic victory for the position in nearly 30 years. Andrews, a 45-year-old pediatrician, ran on a platform of healthcare access and anti-corruption. Graham, 62, was appointed to the seat in July following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, and later won a special primary to remain on the ballot. Despite a personal endorsement from President Trump and significant last-minute financial support from Republican super PACs, Graham was unable to maintain the seat in a state where Republicans recently held a long-term electoral advantage.

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Reported across the spectrum

  • Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican incumbent Darline Graham
  • Darline Graham is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham
  • Graham was appointed to the seat after Lindsey Graham died in July
  • South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998
  • Annie Andrews is a pediatrician by profession
  • President Trump personally endorsed Darline Graham
  • Annie Andrews will be the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate

Reported by only some outlets

  • Republican super PACs invested over $5.8 million in Graham's campaign during the final months
  • Andrews previously lost a 2022 congressional race to Republican Nancy Mace
  • Graham defeated Representative Ralph Norman in a special primary before the general election
  • Graham previously served as the head of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind
  • The Associated Press called the race for Andrews at 10:39 p.m.
  • Graham faced internal party skepticism due to her friendship with former state Senator Katrina Shealy
  • Graham stated during the primary that she was 'not that informed on national security'
  • Republican Alan Wilson won the South Carolina governor's race on the same night

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