With the South Carolina Senate election just days away, the race to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham has tightened significantly, raising concerns among Republicans about the party’s prospects in a traditionally safe seat. Democrat Annie Andrews has surged in recent polls, challenging the favored Republican nominee, Darline Graham, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Darline Graham, a disability advocate and sister of the late senator, was endorsed by Trump to fill out Lindsey Graham’s term following his death in July and to secure a full term in the Senate. Despite the endorsement, internal divisions within the South Carolina Republican Party have emerged, with some prominent Republicans voicing skepticism about her candidacy. Rep. Ralph Norman, who lost to Graham in the Republican primary, criticized her as a “propped-up candidate” relying heavily on Trump’s support rather than her own credentials. Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford echoed these concerns, suggesting that some Republicans view Graham as a “puppet” of the former president.
Trump’s efforts to bolster Graham have included multiple campaign visits to the state, including a rally in Rock Hill, where the president urged voters to support Graham and invoked Lindsey Graham’s legacy. From the stage, Darline Graham dismissed her opponent as “plain ol’ bat s--- crazy,” accusing Andrews of attempting to rewrite her record to appear more moderate, and sharply criticized liberals and socialists opposing Republicans in the state.
Andrews, a pediatrician, has capitalized on the internal GOP discord and the perception that Graham is closely aligned with Trump’s agenda. Campaigning across all 46 counties of South Carolina, Andrews has emphasized her willingness to work across party lines and received endorsements from former South Carolina governors of both parties, David Beasley and Jim Hodges. Her campaign has been marked by heavy advertising including widespread TV spots and billboards, particularly along key travel corridors like Interstate 85.
The tight race reflects shifting political dynamics in South Carolina, where black voter turnout and economic concerns are energizing Democratic voters, while some traditional Republicans express hesitation about fully supporting Graham. Voters such as Elizabeth Sturgis, a retired educator and former Lindsey Graham supporter, voiced a desire for “normalcy” and concern that Darline Graham may lack an independent voice. Similarly, Brian Scott, who previously backed Lindsey Graham, has shifted his support to Andrews, citing personal and cultural reasons.
Despite these developments, some Republicans remain loyal to Graham, citing Trump’s endorsement as a critical factor. Grady Baker, a voter from Rock Hill, stated that he cast his ballot for Graham primarily based on Trump’s support, despite reservations about her experience.
The internal GOP tensions have also complicated the party’s broader election strategy in South Carolina. Rep. Ralph Norman has publicly distanced himself from active campaigning for Graham, encouraging fellow Republicans to “vote their conscience.” Party officials, including Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, have had to devote resources to the race in a state initially not expected to be competitive this cycle. Scott expressed confidence that Graham would ultimately prevail but refrained from directly addressing polling showing a tight race.
Observers note that the intervention of Trump in the Republican primary may have contributed to the current close contest. Nate Leupp, a local Republican leader, suggested that Trump’s backing of Graham altered the party dynamics, with some moderate and establishment Republicans reluctant to support her but also unwilling to back Norman.
As election day approaches, the contest in South Carolina stands as a key battleground in the fight for control of the Senate, with broader implications for party unity and the influence of Trump's endorsement in Republican politics.