Full Breakdown
South Carolina Senate Race Tightens as Darline Graham Faces Annie Andrews
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event: A Near-Tie for Lindsey Graham’s Former Seat
The contest for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the late Senator Lindsey Graham (who died on July 11, 2026) has become a rare competitive race in the deep-red state. Incumbent Republican Sen. Darline Graham, appointed to finish her brother’s term, is matched against Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and former congressional candidate. Late-October polling shows the two candidates essentially tied, and both parties are pouring resources into the final weeks before Election Day next Tuesday.
02
Background & Context
Lindsey Graham’s 2020 reelection was won by more than 10 points, but his death triggered an appointment of his sister, Darline Graham, to the seat. A bitter Republican primary saw the Trump-endorsed Darline Graham defeat Rep. Russell Fry and Rep. Ralph Norman, after which former governors David Beasley (R) and Jim Hodges (D) jointly endorsed Andrews. The race has also drawn attention from the artificial-intelligence-focused data-center industry, which is beginning to spend on elections to protect its interests in South Carolina.
Visual evidence
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03
Data & Statistics
- Polling:
- A late-October New York Times/Siena University poll of 707 likely voters found both Graham and Andrews at 48 % support, with 3 % undecided.
- A South Carolina Policy Council poll placed Graham at 47 % and Andrews at 46 %.
- The Citadel poll gave Graham a 4-point lead (43 %–39 %).
- InsiderAdvantage surveys reported Graham at 45.1 % vs. Andrews 43.2 % (Sept 8-9) and 46 % vs. 45 % (Sept 28-29).
- Fundraising: Graham’s campaign war chest is under $2 million, while Andrews has raised roughly $24 million.
- Advertising: The data-center industry super-PAC “Building the Future” has reserved $1.5 million in ads to support Graham.
- Endorsements: Former Rep. Ralph Norman publicly backed Andrews, warning that Graham could hold the seat for “24 years or more.”
04
Official Statements & Responses
Republican leaders, including former Gov. Beasley, have criticized the current political climate as overly divisive and have endorsed Andrews as a unifying alternative. President Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign with Graham on Thursday, marking his third rally in the state. Andrews’ campaign has highlighted a grassroots “Republicans for Annie” coalition, though the composition of that list has been questioned.
05
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polling results vary: the New York Times/Siena University poll shows a perfect tie at 48 % each, while the Citadel poll indicates a 4-point Republican lead, and InsiderAdvantage surveys present a modest Republican edge. Fundraising figures are clear, but the impact of the data-center super-PAC’s $1.5 million ad buy on voter sentiment remains unmeasured. No definitive data are available on how many Republican voters have actually switched to Andrews.
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What’s Next
Election Day is set for next Tuesday, with Trump slated to hold a rally for Graham on Thursday. Both campaigns will continue intensive voter-contact efforts in the final eight days, focusing on Medicaid budget cuts and a proposed two-year moratorium on new data-center construction. The outcome will determine whether South Carolina’s Senate seat remains in Republican hands or flips to a Democrat for the first time since 1998.