Democrats Win First South Carolina Senate Seat in 28 Years

Democratic candidate Annie Andrews is projected to win a U.S. Senate race in South Carolina, marking the party's first victory for a Senate seat in the state in nearly three decades. CBS, the U.S. partner of the BBC, projected the midterm election result in favor of Andrews, a former pediatrician.

Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham, who was appointed to the Senate seat in July following the sudden death of her brother, long-serving Senator Lindsey Graham. The appointment of Darline Graham had received endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who won South Carolina by 18 percentage points in 2024.

Primary Debates and Foreign Policy Struggles

Darline Graham, a newcomer to national politics, faced scrutiny during her campaign regarding her background and preparedness for office. During the Republican primary, she admitted her limited knowledge on defense matters after struggling with a debate question regarding the stance of the United States on Taiwan.

In response to the foreign policy query, Graham stated that national security was not her expertise, though she noted her support for the military. Her late brother, Lindsey Graham, had served in the Senate since his election in 2002 and held significant influence over foreign policy debates in Washington, frequently advocating for international military involvement.