South Carolina Senate race becomes toss-up between Graham and Andrews

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 21:51 · Archive

A new poll shows Democratic candidate Annie Andrews tied with Republican incumbent Darline Graham in South Carolina's Senate race.

South Carolina's Senate race has moved from leaning Republican to a toss-up, according to new polling this week. A New York Times/Siena poll shows Democratic candidate Annie Andrews tied with Republican incumbent Darline Graham at 48 per cent each. The race is significant because South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998, and Donald Trump won the state by nearly 18 points in 2024.

Graham was appointed to the seat after her brother Lindsey Graham died in July. She entered the race at Trump's urging without having previously held elected office. In a poll, 51 per cent of voters said she lacked the right experience to be an effective senator. During an August debate, she admitted she was 'not that informed on national security' when asked about US policy on Taiwan.

Andrews, a paediatrician from Charleston, has built her campaign around her medical career, advocating for a public option and cheaper prescription drugs. She has kept distance from the Democratic party's left flank, saying she does not support Medicare for All, while also conceding that Democrats failed on the border. She has declined to name a national Democrat she would like to campaign with her. That pitch appears to be working with independents, who back her over Graham by 57 per cent to 37 per cent.

Graham is leaning heavily on Trump's support. The president campaigned in the state with six days until the midterms, focusing on the upstate where Graham underperformed in her primary runoff against Representative Ralph Norman.

Outlets differ on the race's trajectory. Fox News moved South Carolina from leaning Republican to toss-up. CBS News' data desk analysis suggests the race now leans Republican, though the outlets agree the race is much closer than expected in a heavily Republican state.

How it is being reported

• South Carolina Senate race now leans Republican, CBS News data desk saysSouth Carolina's Senate race is now leaning Republican, according to new analysis from the CBS News data desk. CBS News' executive director of elections and surveys, Anthony Salvanto, breaks down the numbers.CBS News · 30 Oct, 21:34
• Trump campaigns in South Carolina as Senate race is surprisingly closeThe critical Senate race in South Carolina is closer than expected, and President Trump stopped there with six days to go until the midterms. Weijia Jiang has more.CBS News · 29 Oct, 23:43
• South Carolina tossup means state may elect Democrat to Senate for first time in 28 yearsPoll shows Annie Andrews, a Democrat, tied with the Republican incumbent, Darline Graham, sister to Lindsey Graham US politics live – latest updates A US Senate race in one of the most Republican states in the country is now a dead heat, according to a new poll showing Annie Andrews, a Democrat, tied with Darline Graham, the Republican incumbent senator. South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998, and Donald Trump won it by nearly 18 points in 2024, but a New York Times/Siena poll this week has the two candidates neck and neck, at 48% each. Continue reading...Guardian World · 29 Oct, 14:42
• Fox News Power Rankings: South Carolina moves to toss-upSouth Carolina's Senate race moves to toss-up as new polling shows Graham tied at 48%, and Trump heads to the upstate to boost the GOP senator.Fox News · 29 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Annie Andrews · Darline Graham · Lindsey Graham · Donald Trump · South Carolina

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