Democrat Annie Andrews defeats Trump-backed Darline Graham in South Carolina

Summarised from 9 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 03:51 · Archive

Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, has defeated Republican Darline Graham to win South Carolina's Senate seat, the first Democratic victory there since 1998.

Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and political outsider, has defeated Republican Darline Graham to win South Carolina's Senate seat, marking the first Democratic victory in the state since 1998. The race was seen as an upset in what has long been regarded as reliably Republican territory.

Graham, 62, was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill the seat after her brother, influential Senator Lindsey Graham, died suddenly in July at age 71. She became the first woman to represent the state in the US Senate. Graham then won a special primary election to secure the Republican nomination for a full six-year term, with President Trump's endorsement and encouragement.

Andrews, 45, campaigned on healthcare affordability and access, fighting corruption in Washington, lowering costs for working families, and protecting reproductive rights. She also opposed what she called an 'illegal, unconstitutional' war in Iran. Andrews significantly outraised Graham, with one outlet reporting she raised $22 million more than her opponent, primarily through grassroots donations and refusing corporate PAC money.

Graham's campaign emphasised immigration enforcement, gun rights and opposition to abortion, and she focused on issues closer to home rather than national security. However, her inexperience became a notable issue. During the primary campaign, when asked about the US position on Taiwan during a debate, Graham admitted she was 'not that informed on national security' and stated it was 'not my thing'. Her brother, by contrast, had been one of Washington's most influential voices on foreign policy since his election in 2002.

Trump threw his considerable support behind Graham's bid for a full term. He personally campaigned for her with two rallies in the final weeks before the election, praising her as 'smart and incredible'. The Senate Leadership Fund, the main Republican super PAC, invested $5 million in October, while Trump's own super PAC, MAGA Inc, gave her $827,000 in August.

Despite these efforts, the race grew far more competitive than initially expected. One outlet reported that a New York Times/Siena poll the week before the election showed the two candidates neck and neck, both at 48 per cent. Outside groups aligned with both parties poured cash and resources into the contest. Multiple outlets attributed the tightening race partly to Graham's admission of inexperience and voter discontent over issues including the economy, living costs and the Iran war.

With Andrews' victory, Democrats secure an unexpected pickup as they seek to gain seats in the Senate. The result represents a significant rebuff to Trump's influence in the state, with Democratic strategist Mally Smith telling Fox News that 'South Carolina bows to no king' and that 'voters emphatically rejected his choice'.

How it is being reported

• Democrat Annie Andrews flips South Carolina’s Senate seatIn a historic race, Andrews beats Republican incumbent Darline Graham, the sister of late Lindsey Graham.Al Jazeera · 4 Nov, 03:39
• Democrat Annie Andrews wins South Carolina Senate race in major upsetAndrews, a pediatrician, defeated GOP Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to the seat after the death of her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham.NPR · 4 Nov, 03:39
• Trump served another crushing blow as Darline Graham loses seat he handpicked her forThe South Carolina seat was one Trump had worked extremely hard to keep in Republican handsIndependent World · 4 Nov, 03:35
• South Carolina elects Democratic senator for first time in almost three decadesPresident Trump handpicked Darline Graham to take over the seat held by her brother, influential Senator Lindsey Graham, after his death.BBC News · 4 Nov, 03:24
• Democrat Annie Andrews flips South Carolina Senate seat held by Republicans since 1998Andrews ran a campaign on healthcare affordability and beat Darline Graham, sister of Lindsey Graham to win US midterm elections – live updates Track live results from all 50 states Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who campaigned on healthcare affordability, has won the race for US Senate in South Carolina, making her the first Democrat to represent the state in the Senate for over a quarter century. Andrews had faced an uphill battle in what has been seen as a reliably Republican state against Darline Graham, the sister of the late Republican powerbroker Lindsey Graham. Continue…The Guardian · 4 Nov, 03:16
• Darline Graham loses late brother Lindsey's South Carolina Senate seat in seismic defeat for Republicans as Democratic demolition takes shapeDarline Graham has been defeated by Democrat Annie Andrews in South Carolina, dealing a stinging blow to Donald Trump.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 03:09
• Democrat Annie Andrews stuns Darline Graham, flips South Carolina Senate seatWith polls showing a tighter-than-expected contest, outside Republican groups poured millions of dollars into the race to shore up Graham's victory.New York Post · 4 Nov, 03:04
• Democrat Annie Andrews wins South Carolina Senate raceDemocrat Annie Andrews won a stunning upset over GOP Sen. Darline Graham, who was running for her late brother Lindsey Graham's seat.CBS News · 4 Nov, 03:01
• Massive upset: Andrews downs Trump-backed Graham in ruby-red South CarolinaAnnie Andrews, a pediatrician and political outsider, pulled off a historic upset in South Carolina's Senate race despite Trump's rally for Darlene Graham.Fox News · 4 Nov, 02:16

In this story: Annie Andrews · Darline Graham · Lindsey Graham · Donald Trump · South Carolina · Senate Leadership Fund · MAGA Inc

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log