South Carolina Senate race tightens as conservative voters rally behind Darline Graham
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A new New York Times/Siena poll shows Democrat Annie Andrews and Republican incumbent Darline Graham tied at 48% in South Carolina’s Senate race, with Graham benefiting from President Trump’s backing and a strongly conservative electorate.
A recent New York Times/Siena poll finds Democrat Annie Andrews and Republican incumbent Darline Graham dead-locked at 48% each in the South Carolina Senate race. The state, which has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998 and gave President Donald Trump a nearly 18-point margin in 2024, now shows a competitive contest that reflects South Carolina’s durable conservative instincts.
Graham, appointed after her brother Lindsey Graham’s death in July and urged to run by President Trump, has faced criticism for her lack of elected experience. In an August debate she acknowledged limited knowledge of national-security issues, and 51% of respondents said she lacks the experience needed for the Senate, but her campaign continues to draw strength from voters who value loyalty, energy, and alignment with President Trump’s agenda.
Andrews, a pediatrician from Charleston, centers her campaign on health-care reforms, advocating a public option and lower prescription-drug costs while rejecting a full Medicare-for-All plan. She has positioned herself as moderate, distancing from the party’s left wing and appealing to independent voters, who back her 57% to 37% over Graham, yet her platform remains firmly in the Democratic orbit and far from South Carolina’s mainstream.
Graham leans heavily on President Trump’s endorsement, opposing abortion rights, supporting Trump’s stance on tariffs and the conflict with Iran, and calling for immediate deportation of undocumented immigrants. President Trump recently visited the state to rally for Graham, labeling Andrews “extreme” and drawing protests, while reinforcing the stakes for voters who want law, order, and a stronger border.
Republican spending in the state remains high, though the party’s establishment shows signs of division; Congressman Ralph Norman, who lost a runoff to Graham, said he will not campaign for her. Even so, the broader conservative base remains decisive, and the race underscores how much is on the line for Republicans determined to keep South Carolina aligned with President Trump’s priorities.