In a closely watched Senate race, Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews defeated Republican incumbent Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina, NBC News and other major networks projected late Tuesday night. Andrews, a pediatrician and mother of three, will become the state’s first Democratic senator since 1998, flipping a seat in a deep-red state that President Donald Trump carried by 17 percentage points in 2024.
With 88% of precincts reporting, Andrews led Graham 51% to 46.8% in the final tally, according to NBC News. The Associated Press called the race shortly after 10 p.m. ET, confirming the upset victory. Graham, appointed to the Senate in July after the sudden death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, had been favored to win a full term in what was initially expected to be a competitive but winnable race for Republicans.
Immediate Reactions and Campaign Dynamics
Andrews’ victory marks a significant shift in South Carolina’s political landscape, where Republicans have held the Senate seat continuously since 1966. Her campaign centered on healthcare affordability, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, and government accountability, positioning her as a pragmatic centrist. In contrast, Graham, a former administrator for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, faced criticism for lacking fluency on national security issues during the primary. In a June debate, she admitted, “I’m not that informed on national security,” when asked about U.S. interests in Taiwan.
Graham’s campaign struggled with fundraising and organization, raising $90,000 in the final pre-election period compared to Andrews’ $4 million, much of which came from online donors. The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, spent $13 million in late October to bolster Graham’s chances, while the Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC invested $750,000 in digital ads for Andrews in the final stretch.
Trump’s Role and Republican Divisions
President Donald Trump played a central role in Graham’s campaign, endorsing her in the special primary and holding two rallies in South Carolina in the final weeks of the general election. Trump also caused controversy when he referred to Andrews on social media using a slur, writing on Truth Social in early October: “Annie ‘Trannie’ Andrews is running against our wonderful Darline Graham for the Senate in South Carolina.” Trump later campaigned for Graham in Myrtle Beach in August, calling her a “High Quality person.”
Graham’s primary opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), blamed Trump for the close race, arguing that if he had not intervened, the GOP would have had an easier path to victory. Norman, who had pledged to vote for Graham, suggested his family might not support her, stating, “I’ll vote for Darline, but my family may not.”
Polling Shifts and Competitive Race
The race tightened significantly in the final weeks, with polls showing Andrews and Graham tied at 48% in a New York Times/Siena survey released the day before the election. The Cook Political Report had initially rated the race as “likely Republican” but shifted it to “lean Republican” in September, reflecting Graham’s vulnerabilities. Fox News’ election forecaster described the race as “uncomfortably close.”
Andrews had previously run for Congress in South Carolina’s 1st District in 2022, losing to Rep. Nancy Mace by 14 percentage points. She secured the Democratic nomination for Senate in June 2026, defeating two opponents with 61.5% of the vote in the primary.
Broader Implications for 2026 Elections
Andrews’ victory comes amid broader challenges for Republicans, including backlash over the Iran war and economic concerns such as rising grocery, gas, and housing costs. Democrats had hoped to capitalize on discontent with Trump’s administration to flip control of the House and Senate. The upset in South Carolina, a state Trump won decisively in 2024, signals potential vulnerabilities for Republicans in traditionally safe seats.
The race also highlighted divisions within the GOP, with some lawmakers questioning whether Trump’s polarizing influence hurt down-ballot candidates. Graham’s appointment to replace her brother, a long-serving senator, had initially been seen as a smooth transition, but her lack of experience on key issues became a liability in the general election.
Andrews will serve a full six-year term, beginning in January 2027. Her election marks the first time in 26 years that South Carolina will send a Democrat to the U.S. Senate.