FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-SC), the sister of late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) reacts on the day of the funeral service of Lindsey Graham in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S., July 29, 2026. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo
A veteran Republican strategist unleashed on the failures of the Senate race in South Carolina.
The sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Darline Graham, replaced her brother in the Senate, but even with lawmakers back home for the election, she still isn't campaigning.
The complaints come after news broke that Republicans are dumping an extra $5 million into help juice Graham's numbers. It's unclear whether the GOP fears a wave election could wipe out even a reliably red state like South Carolina or whether they simply don't have confidence in the Graham campaign as it stands. According to one veteran GOP strategist, it's more the latter.
Speaking to CNN's Mark Preston, the strategist lamented, pediatrician "Annie Andrews is running an aggressive, kitchen-table campaign focused on the issues important to families struggling in South Carolina. Her campaign is all about high gas/diesel prices and grocery prices that skyrocketed during COVID and have never come down. Darline Graham is nowhere to be found. People are struggling and Darline isn't meeting with the voters where they are."
Preston pointed out that South Carolina is a state that the GOP shouldn't have to put money into; however, Republicans are also having to put money into Kansas, Texas and Iowa now too.
The influx of cash came just before Fox News predictions moved that once-safe Senate seat from "solidly R" to "likely R."
Graham has also suffered from several very public missteps, particularly during her primary debate against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.). She has a chance to redeem herself as she takes the stage with Dr. Andrews on Oct. 11.
Meanwhile, Trump is hurling slurs at Andrews, claiming she's transgender. For her part, Andrews hasn't asked Graham to denounce the comments, saying she's too focused on issues that matter to voters who can't afford food and fuel.
He also mentioned former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) making an "about-face" on Trump's tariffs 60 days after he claimed to support them. Michigan is a car state, so the high tariffs have jacked up prices on vehicle parts, metal and tools, making it more costly to build and higher priced.
Trump's personal trade war with Canada is also hurting Michigan, since many U.S. vehicles are shipped in for Canadians to buy, the Detroit Free Press reported in August. Michigan is particularly exposed because its auto industry operates across the U.S.–Canada border, rather than as a self-contained domestic industry
So, after saying he was standing with Trump on tariffs, Rogers has now had to flip-flop on the issue.