Annie Andrews Wins South Carolina Senate Race Over Darline Graham

Democrat Annie Andrews has won South Carolina's U.S. Senate race, defeating Republican Darline Graham in the November 3 election. NBC News projected the result on the same day.

Andrews is the first Democrat to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate in more than a quarter century. The state last elected a Democrat to the chamber in 1998. Her victory is also the first time South Carolina has elected a woman to the Senate.

Graham is the sister of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July at the age of 71. South Carolina's governor appointed her to serve out her brother's Senate term, and she was the Republican nominee in the race that followed.

Andrews is a pediatrician, a doctor who treats children, and she campaigned on healthcare affordability. She had announced a 2026 Senate run against Lindsey Graham in 2025, and in 2022 she challenged Republican U.S. Representative Nancy Mace.

The contest was close in the final stretch. A New York Times/Siena poll taken the week before the election had Andrews and Graham tied at 48% each.

The general election affected all 46 counties in the state. South Carolina also broke two gubernatorial election voter turnout records and surpassed its highest number of votes cast in a gubernatorial election in 30 years, according to the state's election website. South Carolina has also announced a hand-count audit for the statewide general election.