US Senate candidate Democrat Annie Andrews looks on as she speaks with the media following a US Senate debate ahead of the election, in Columbia, South Carolina, US, October 11, 2026. REUTERS/Sam Wolfe
In the final weeks of the 2026 midterm election, questions arose about whether the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) sister could hold onto his seat.
By late Tuesday, it became clear that Annie Andrews would be the winner; Peter Hamby called it early, and the Decision Desk confirmed. Local WIS10 showed that 80 percent reported there was no pathway to victory left for Graham. Meanwhile, that same governors race will likely go Republican, meaning many voters split tickets to vote GOP for governor and then voted for Andrews too.
Pediatrician Annie Andrews ran against the former senator before his death, but then Darline Graham stepped in after a late primary left the younger Graham bruised.
Throughout September and into part of October, Graham led by only a few points in polls and always within the margin of error. Her best showing came from the GOP firm Trafalgar Group, where she led by just three points. Impact Research did a poll from Oct. 15-21 that put Andrews up by one point, but still within the margin of error. By Election Day they were tied.
The tough GOP battle between Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) set her up to face off serious policy issues that extend to the war in Iran, trade deals and corruption. During a debate with Norman, Graham had an embarrassing moment when she admitted she didn't know much about Taiwan or really any national security, but she supported the military.
"National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise. But I do support the military," she said in the painful debate moment.
When challenged on it, she doubled down, saying, “They’re worried about their pocketbooks more than they’re worried about the South China Sea, quite honestly.” She then began talkinga bout boys in girls' sports.
She then misstated that 50 million people lived in South Carolina, when the number is more like six million. Norman tried to capitalize on the moment by saying that she may very well be a nice person and a good sister, but it didn't mean she was qualified to be a U.S. Senator.
Still, she made it through the primary with support from President Donald Trump, rallying MAGA behind her.
By the time of her Oct. 11 debate against Annie Andrews, Graham still struggled in the debate. While she didn't make any additional gaffes, she was very slow to answer, and there were many awkward pauses. Her attack lines didn't land, and that became part of the narrative that she wasn't ready for prime time. Andrews followed Norman's message, saying the debate proved Graham simply wasn't qualified.
As the election neared, the Senate Leadership Fund sent $5 million to help a race in a reliably red district that neither party saw as competitive. A Republican briefed on the plans called it the GOP's “insurance policy” to protect the seat.
In late October, Norman's son announced in an op-ed that he'll likely vote Democrat for the first time in his life by casting a ballot for Andrews. He made it clear that he refused to support Graham.
South Carolina was never meant to be a bellwether, but the time zone meant the state was likely to be among the first east coast races called unless it was close. It was thought that if the race was very close or Andrews pulled out a win, that could be an indication for other U.S. Senate races in red states like Iowa and Kansas, where Democrats have also been within striking distance
