Annie Andrews Wins South Carolina Senate Seat, First Democrat in 28 Years
Democrat Annie Andrews, a former paediatrician, is projected to defeat Republican Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate race, according to Decision Desk HQ and CBS. Graham was appointed in July after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, and won the GOP primary despite acknowledging she was "not that informed on national security." Andrews's victory gives Democrats their first South Carolina Senate seat in nearly three decades, in a state Trump won by 18 points in 2024.
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South Carolina elects first Democratic senator in nearly three decades
Democrat Annie Andrews, a former paediatrician, is projected to defeat Republican Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate race, according to the BBC's US partner CBS, giving Democrats their first Senate victory in the state in 28 years. Graham was appointed to the seat in July after the sudden death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, a move supported by President Donald Trump. A political newcomer, Graham had conceded during the primary that she was "not that informed on national security" and stumbled on a foreign policy question about Taiwan during a debate. Trump won South Carolina by 18 points in 2024, making the projected result a stunning upset in Tuesday's midterm elections.
Read sourceDemocrat Annie Andrews Wins South Carolina Senate Seat Over Darline Graham
Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Acting South Carolina Senator Darline Graham, the younger sister of the late Lindsey Graham, 51.1–47 percent, according to a Decision Desk HQ projection. Graham was appointed in July by Governor Henry McMaster after her brother died of an aortic dissection, despite having no relevant experience, and won the GOP primary over five-term Representative Ralph Norman. During primary debates she said 'national security is not my thing' when asked about Taiwan and falsely claimed South Carolina's population was 50 million. Andrews's win is the first time since 2005 that a Democrat has represented South Carolina in the Senate and the first time a woman has won the seat by electorate vote.
Democrat Annie Andrews Wins South Carolina Senate Seat Over Darline Graham
Democrat Annie Andrews defeated acting Republican Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate race, 51.1 percent to 47 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ. Graham, the younger sister of the late Lindsey Graham, was appointed in July after her brother died of an aortic dissection, despite having no relevant experience, and won a GOP primary over five-term Representative Ralph Norman. During primary debates she said 'national security is not my thing' when asked about Taiwan and falsely claimed South Carolina's population was 50 million. Andrews's victory marks the first time since 2005 a Democrat has represented South Carolina in the Senate and the first time a woman won the seat by electorate vote. The article also reports Democrats projected to retake the House, Republican gerrymandering backfiring in Florida, and GOP analysts bracing for midterm losses.