Democrat Annie Andrews Wins South Carolina Senate Race in Major Upset

Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darlene Graham in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate election, delivering a major upset in a traditionally Republican state. Andrews, a pediatrician, is the first Democrat to win a Senate election there in 28 years, a break in the state’s Senate results.

Graham had President Donald Trump’s personal endorsement. Her defeat means the president’s preferred candidate lost in the state, despite Trump’s strong showing there two years earlier.

Trump led his opponent by more than 17 percentage points in South Carolina two years ago. That earlier margin makes Andrews’ Senate victory a sharp contrast with the state’s most recent presidential result and underscores the scale of the political shift.

The outcome gives Democrats a rare Senate win in South Carolina and carries potential implications for control of Congress. The result marks a political shift for the state.