Andrews wins South Carolina Senate seat, flipping state to Democratic control
The pediatrician defeats appointee Darline Graham, becoming the first woman to win a Senate election in the state and the first Democrat to do so since 1998.
By Madison Lewis ·
The Associated Press has called the South Carolina Senate race, declaring Democrat Annie Andrews the winner over Republican Sen. Darline Graham. This result marks a major shift for the state, which President Trump carried by nearly 18 points in the 2024 election.
Andrews becomes the first woman to win a Senate election in South Carolina history. She is also the first Democratic Senator elected in the state since 1998. The victory is a critical pickup for Democrats, who need to net four seats to regain control of the chamber.
Graham had been appointed to the seat in July following the death of her brother, longtime Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. During her time in office, she served as a key vote for Trump. She supported the president’s war powers and voted to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General.
The political environment for Republicans turned difficult in the weeks leading up to the midterms. Trump’s approval ratings hit record lows, driven by opposition to the war in Iran, his tariff policies, and high energy prices. These factors expanded the competitive map to include redder states like South Carolina, Kansas, and Texas.
Andrews centered her campaign on affordability. She argued for ending tax breaks for the wealthy, raising wages, and pushing for affordable child care. She cited her background as a pediatrician as a primary motivation for entering politics. She noted that many parents struggled to pay for essential treatments for their children.
In an interview last month, Andrews described treating children with common chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes. She recalled explaining treatment plans to parents who then asked about the cost of inhalers or insulin. She stated that no parent in America should have to think about their pocketbook when hearing their child has a chronic illness.
The race was part of a wider pattern of Democratic gains in battleground states. Former Gov. Roy Cooper won a key Senate race in North Carolina. The favorable conditions allowed Democrats to expand their competitive map beyond traditional blue states.
Andrews’ victory in South Carolina adds another seat to the Democratic column in the Senate. The result reflects a shift in voter sentiment in a state that had been reliably Republican for years. The race concluded with Andrews taking the seat previously held by the Graham family.
