In a remarkable election night, Annie Andrews, a pediatrician from the Charleston area, emerged victorious over Republican incumbent Darline Graham in South Carolina, flipping a Senate seat in a state known for its Republican leanings.
This marks the first Senate victory for the Democrats in the state since 1998 and the first time a woman has held this position. Graham was appointed just months earlier, following the death of her brother, the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Before her political career, Andrews dedicated 14 years to her work as a pediatric hospitalist and professor at the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital. She previously ran for a congressional seat in 2022 but lost to Republican Nancy Mace.
Darline Graham was appointed to the Senate by Governor Henry McMaster shortly after her brother’s passing. This appointment allowed her to finish the term ending in January 2027. Graham campaigned vigorously, leveraging support from President Donald Trump, who hosted rally events to bolster her candidacy.
As the race progressed, polls indicated a narrowing margin, with a late survey showing the candidates nearly tied. Additionally, Andrews significantly out-fundraised Graham, and substantial sums were invested by outside groups in both campaigns.
With 86.3% of the vote counted, Andrews has garnered 918,263 votes (51.0%) against Graham’s 842,905 votes (46.8%). Independent candidate Kasie Whitener trails with 1.1% of the vote. Andrews leads by over 75,000 votes as urban and coastal areas, especially Charleston, reported early results.
This outcome ends a lengthy Republican dominance in the Senate seat, previously held by Tim Scott, who won reelection in 2022 with over 62% of the vote. The previous Democratic win in the state dates back to 1998.
In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump won South Carolina by a hefty margin, emphasizing the significance of this Democratic Senate win amid a recent Republican stronghold.
Nationally, this election results reflect a pattern of Democratic gains in the midterm elections. While Republicans maintained a slim majority in the Senate, the significant shift in South Carolina adds a new dynamic to the political landscape.
If confirmed, Andrews’ win will place her as South Carolina’s first-term Democratic senator alongside Republican Tim Scott. The final certified results and any potential legal challenges will be pivotal in determining the ultimate outcome.
