In brief
Medias projections on Tuesday evening showed Democrat Annie Andrews to unseat Republican Darline Graham in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, marking the first Democratic victory in the state in 28 years and moving the national balance toward Democrats. The win follows the appointment of Graham to fill her brother’s seat after his death, and comes amid widespread voter discontent with President Trump’s policies.
In the evening of Tuesday, November 3, media projections indicated that Democrat pediatrician Annie Andrews would defeat Republican Darline Graham in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, a rare upset for Democrats in a state that had not elected one since 1998. NBC News projected the outcome, citing polling and vote‑tallies that favored Andrews as the final tally was cast.
Graham, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the seat left vacant by her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham, had been endorsed by President Donald Trump throughout the campaign. Trump’s support did not prevent Andrews from boosting her campaign’s fundraising, ultimately outsizing Graham by roughly $22 million, while Republican outside groups poured $27 million into holding the seat.
During a rally in South Carolina, Graham accused Andrews of being “batshit crazy.”
Graham told supporters her opponent is “batshit crazy.”
Graham.
In a recoil, Andrews reportedly asked whether it was crazy “to want cheaper gas and groceries.”
“Is it crazy to want cheaper gas and groceries?” Andrews said in response.
Andrews.
Andrews’ projected victory would sign the first Democratic Senate win in South Carolina in 28 years and move the national Senate closer to a Democratic majority, bringing the total seat count to 48 out of 100 and narrowing the Republican advantage to 47–53. The gain comes at a time when many voters express dissatisfaction with President Trump’s handling of the economy, high diesel prices, and cost‑of‑living issues.
Sources have not yet confirmed whether the Associated Press has projected the same outcome, and that projection remains unverified.
