Two recent polls indicate that Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) and Democratic nominee Annie Andrews are in a statistical deadlock in South Carolina’s Senate race, with less than a week remaining until the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
New polling data released this week shows Graham and Andrews each holding 48% support among likely voters, according to a Siena Research Institute/New York Times poll. The survey, conducted with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, reflects a race that has tightened significantly in recent weeks. 3% of respondents remained undecided, while less than 1% indicated support for a third candidate.
A separate poll from the Washington Examiner also suggests a competitive race, describing the contest as a “close contest” between the two candidates. The report notes Graham’s appointment to the Senate in July following the death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, and her subsequent decision to run for a full term at the urging of former President Donald Trump.
Ohio Senate race also tightens
While South Carolina’s race remains the focal point of national attention, polling in Ohio’s Senate contest has also tightened, with Democratic nominee Sherrod Brown holding a 3-point lead over Republican incumbent Sen. Jon Husted, according to a Fox News poll. The Suffolk University survey, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, places Brown at 47% and Husted at 44%, with 4% undecided and 3% supporting other candidates.
Brown, a former senator who served from 2007 to 2025, is seeking a political comeback after losing his seat to Sen. Bernie Moreno in 2024. His campaign has emphasized economic concerns, particularly cost-of-living issues, as central themes in his bid to regain office.
Background on the South Carolina race
Sen. Darline Graham, appointed to the Senate in July following her brother’s death, initially faced a contentious Republican primary against Rep. Ralph Norman. She ultimately secured the GOP nomination with the backing of President Trump, setting up a high-stakes general election battle against Andrews, a pediatrician and former state representative.
The race has drawn national attention due to its potential impact on the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-seat majority. If both Graham and Husted were to lose, Democrats would gain ground in their efforts to reduce the Republican majority, though they would still fall short of flipping control.
Campaign themes and voter priorities
In South Carolina, Graham has framed her campaign around kitchen-table issues, including economic stability and healthcare access, while Andrews has focused on reproductive rights, education funding, and economic fairness for working families. Both candidates have highlighted their records and policy proposals in recent weeks, with debates and campaign events drawing significant local and national interest.
National political observers note that the race reflects broader trends in competitive Senate contests, where economic anxiety and voter dissatisfaction with incumbents have played a significant role. Polling suggests that economic concerns are a top priority for voters in both South Carolina and Ohio, though the specific issues driving voter sentiment vary by state.
Election Day nears
With early voting already underway in several states and Election Day set for Nov. 3, both campaigns are intensifying their get-out-the-vote efforts. The outcome in South Carolina, in particular, could influence perceptions of Republican electoral strength heading into 2026 and beyond.