In brief
Democrat Annie Andrews won South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, becoming the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1998. The victory was projected by NBC News and confirmed by Reuters, setting the stage for a potential shift toward a Democratic majority in the Senate. The win reflects growing voter dissatisfaction with President Trump’s economic policies and showcases the impact of a high‑spending campaign.
On Nov. 3, NBC News projected that Democrat Annie Andrews would beat Republican Darline Graham in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, a result that would mark the state’s first Democratic Senate seat since 1998, according to Xinhua.
The election pits Andrews, a pediatrician, against Graham, who was appointed early this year to fill the seat left vacant by the death of her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham.
“Batshit crazy,” said Graham to supporters at a Trump‑backed rally.
After the rally, Andrews responded, asking Graham if it was “crazy to want cheaper gas and groceries.”
Financially, Andrews out‑raised Graham by $22 million. While the Democratic side committed roughly $24 million to the campaign, Republican outside groups invested $27 million to hold the seat.
Trump’s endorsement of Graham, combined with his recent praise for the candidate at a state rally, failed to secure the victory. At that rally, the former president urged supporters to back Graham, who later warned the crowd that Andrews was “batshit crazy.”
In addition, Reuters noted that Andrews’ win stems from growing discontent with President Trump’s economic policies. The article highlighted that Trump’s approval rating has dropped to a record low because of conflicts such as the Iran war, soaring diesel prices, and an overall increasing cost of living.
The Senate seat flip changes the balance of power: Democrats move one seat closer to a 51‑49 Senate majority, shifting committee leadership dynamics.
The victory is the first time a Democrat has won a South Carolina Senate seat since 1998, an event that marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape after almost three decades of Republican dominance.
