The Aporia
Nouhan, C. (2026, November 4). Democrat Annie Andrews flips South Carolina’s Senate seat. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/4/democrat-annie-andrews-flips-south-carolinas-senate-seat?traffic_source=rss
Nouhan, Catherine. “Democrat Annie Andrews flips South Carolina’s Senate seat.” Al Jazeera, 4 Nov. 2026, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/4/democrat-annie-andrews-flips-south-carolinas-senate-seat?traffic_source=rss.
Nouhan, Catherine. “Democrat Annie Andrews flips South Carolina’s Senate seat.” Al Jazeera, November 4, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/4/democrat-annie-andrews-flips-south-carolinas-senate-seat?traffic_source=rss.
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In a major upset on Election Night, Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and Democrat, won the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina, defeating Republican nominee Darline Graham. This marks the first time since 1998 that a Democrat has secured this seat. Graham was appointed by the governor to finish her late brother Lindsey Graham's term after his death in July and had been seen as a strong favorite until recent polls showed the race tightening.
The election saw close competition, with Andrews narrowly defeating Graham despite being an underdog in what was traditionally a Republican stronghold. The result shocked many observers, including NBC News elections guru Steve Kornacki, who described it as "shocking." This victory is part of broader Democratic gains that could shift control of the U.S. Congress.
Andrews campaigned on lowering costs for working families, expanding affordable healthcare and protecting reproductive rights, and on opposing endless wars.
Despite South Carolina being reliably conservative, many voters, including Republicans, believed Graham to be unqualified.