Annie Andrews wins South Carolina Senate seat, flipping it to Democrats
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Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated incumbent Republican Darline Graham in South Carolina's 2026 Senate race, giving Democrats a pickup in the chamber.
Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina’s 2026 Senate race, according to CBS News projections. Andrews, a 45-year-old pediatrician, centered her campaign on expanding health-care access, lowering costs and combating corruption in Washington. Graham, 62, had been appointed to fill the seat after her brother Lindsey Graham’s death and won a special primary to run for a full term.
Andrews highlighted Graham’s limited experience, citing a comment the incumbent made during the primary that she was “not that informed on national security.” The contest attracted significant Republican spending, including a $5 million contribution from the Senate Leadership Fund in October and $827,000 from MAGA Inc., a super PAC controlled by Mr. Trump, which also saw the president campaign for Graham.
Despite the Republican investment, Andrews secured the victory, delivering Democrats an unexpected pickup as they aim to flip control of the Senate.
"We need to ensure that every family can afford quality health care," Andrews said during her campaign.
"South Carolinians deserve a senator with a deep understanding of national security," Graham responded in a post-primary interview.