Lindsey Graham's sister loses South Carolina Senate seat

In South Carolina, Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham, the sister of Senator Lindsey Graham who was appointed to replace him after his death in July, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state since 1998.

One of the biggest surprises of the U.S. midterm elections came in South Carolina. According to CBS News' projection, Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a 45-year-old pediatrician, defeated Republican Senator Darline Graham. The state had not elected a Democratic candidate to the Senate since 1998.

Darline Graham, 62, was appointed to complete the remainder of her brother Senator Lindsey Graham's term after his sudden death in July. She later became the Republican nominee after winning the special primary held for a full six-year term. Graham had previously served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Lindsey Graham was also known to the Turkish public for a 2019 bill that envisaged sanctions against Türkiye.

Democrat Annie Andrews, winner of the South Carolina Senate election (archive)

In her campaign, Andrews highlighted access to health care, the cost of living and combating corruption in Washington. Criticizing her opponent's lack of experience, Andrews recalled Graham saying during the primary that she was "not that knowledgeable" about national security.

Trump encouraged Graham to run and campaigned heavily on her behalf. The Republicans' main super PAC, Senate Leadership Fund, allocated $5 million to the race in October. Trump won the state by 18 percentage points in 2024. Trump told The New York Times that he did not regret supporting Graham.

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