Democrat Annie Andrews has won South Carolina’s US Senate race, defeating Darline Graham in a state where Republicans had held the seat since 1998. Andrews, a pediatrician who made healthcare affordability a focus of her campaign, is the first Democrat to represent South Carolina in the Senate in more than a quarter-century.
Graham, 62, was appointed by the state’s governor to serve the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham’s term after his death in July at age 71. Donald Trump urged her to run and campaigned for her. The contest was considered competitive: a New York Times/Siena poll published the week before the election put both candidates at 48%.
Graham aligned herself with Trump on issues including tariffs and the war with Iran. Andrews called the war illegal and unconstitutional and criticized its impact on gas prices. She also sought to distinguish herself from other Democrats on transgender issues, drawing criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates over a campaign ad opposing gender-affirming surgery for minors. In 2022, Andrews had called South Carolina’s Save Women’s Sports Act harmful and said she would support trans youth.
The result also marks the first time South Carolina has elected a woman to the Senate. Graham’s lack of national political experience was viewed as a factor in the race; during an August debate, she said she was “not that informed on national security” when asked about US policy on Taiwan.
Sources: The Guardian World.