Democrat Annie Andrews Defeats Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina Senate Race

Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate election on Tuesday, leading 51 percent to 47 percent in projections and partial counts. Andrews will be the state's first Democratic senator since 2005. Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster in July after he died suddenly at 71. She then won the Republican nomination with President Donald Trump's backing, and he returned to campaign for her. Trump carried the state by about 17 to 18 points two years ago. Graham admitted in a debate that she was not informed on national security. The Cook Political Report moved the race from solid to likely Republican in September. Andrews raised over $4 million in the final pre-election period and spent over $4.6 million, while Graham raised about $90,000 and spent $65,000. In North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley.

The New Republic and NBC News, on the left, both center Graham's lack of experience and her debate admissions. The New Republic is openly scornful: it calls her a nepotism case, cites her claim that the state had 50 million people, and does not mention Trump's campaigning. NBC is more measured, adding Andrews' fundraising advantage, the Cook rating shift and the state's partisan lean. The Daily Mail and The Blaze, on the right, stress Graham's fall as a Republican loss. The Daily Mail leads with Ann Coulter's mocking post on X and calls the result a blow to Trump, noting his two return visits. The Blaze's headline focuses on her loss to a pediatrician, and its excerpt calls Andrews a Kentuckian. Both sides agree on the margin and on her gaffes. They differ on emphasis: money and qualifications versus Trump's stake and conservative criticism. Truthout adds that Democrats flipped Senate seats in several other states. The American Conservative notes Andrews' failed 2022 House bid.