In brief
The state’s U.S. Senate seat, vacated by the death of Lindsey Graham, is set to change hands after Democrat Annie Andrews has been projected to win over GOP nominee Darline Graham, a first for South Carolina since 1998. The victory, driven by a national backlash against President Trump and a sizable monetary advantage for Andrews, brings the Senate to a near‑even split and marks a historic shift in the state’s politics.
In South Carolina, the election for the U.S. Senate seat, which has been held by the Republican Party for most of the past two decades, is now projected to be won by Democrat Annie Andrews over the GOP nominee Darline Graham. The seat had been left vacant after the death of longtime Senator Lindsey Graham, and Darline Graham was appointed earlier this year to fill the vacancy before running for a full term.
NBC News projected on Tuesday evening that Andrews would defeat Graham, a prediction that would mark the first Democratic win for a South Carolina Senate seat since 1998. The projection was based on early returns and polling data that showed a narrowing margin between the two candidates.
Reuters confirmed that Andrews had won the seat, describing the victory as a “shock” in a state that President Donald Trump carried by 18 percentage points only two years earlier. The win is the first time a Democrat has taken a South Carolina Senate seat in 28 years and brings Democrats one seat closer to a Senate majority.
Trump’s endorsement of the Republican candidate, who is the sister of the late senator, was a key factor in the race, yet it could not offset the broader voter dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy. The incumbent’s popularity had been eroded by high fuel costs, inflation, and the perception that the administration had not delivered on key issues for many voters.
The campaign finance totals reflected a narrow advantage for Andrews: she raised $22 million more than Graham, with Democratic groups investing $24 million, while Republican outside groups poured in $27 million. These figures show the intense competition for the seat and the level of resources each side committed.
In a post‑primary interview, Darline Graham said she was “not that informed on national security.” The following day, a Republican rally in the state was held by Trump, during which Graham told supporters her opponent was “batshit crazy.” In response, Andrews asked Graham if it was “crazy” to want cheaper gas and groceries. These remarks illustrate the heated rhetoric that accompanied the campaign.
Beyond the numbers, the outcome signals a broader shift in political attitudes in the South. It underscores how dissatisfaction with President Trump’s policies has translated into real electoral gains for Democrats in traditionally Republican strongholds.
The change in representation may have impacts going forward: with a near‑even split in the Senate, the balance of power could tilt, and lawmakers from South Carolina will now sit in a body that is more receptive to bipartisan proposals. For the voters, the seat’s flip may bring new priorities to the national debate.
