A new New York Times/Siena poll released on Wednesday shows Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic candidate Annie Andrews effectively tied at 48% in South Carolina’s deep-red U.S. Senate race. The competitive contest in a state President Donald Trump won by 18 points in 2024 has revealed tight polling as the GOP works to shore up voters in a conservative stronghold.
Graham Leads Republican Nomination After Securing Trump Support
Darline Graham took over the Senate seat following the sudden death of her brother, longtime U.S. senator Lindsey Graham. Sen. Lindsey Graham, over the summer. And with the help of Trump’s electoral apparatus, she beat Rep. Ralph Norman for the Republican nomination. However, her campaign has faced hurdles, including a televised debate in August where she admitted she was not that informed on national security.
Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician, has made significant inroads with the electorate. According to the New York Times/Siena poll, Andrews commands 57% of independent voters and has peeled away 7% of Republican voters. Voters expressed concerns regarding experience; 51% said Graham lacked the experience to be an effective senator, while 54% said Andrews does have the right experience.
GOP Response and Broader Context
The tighter-than-expected race has forced the GOP to spend time and money defending a seat in a state that last elected a Democratic senator in 1998. President Trump has campaigned for Graham and toured the country to woo his base amid concerns over a broader national blue wave, high prices, and an ongoing Middle East conflict. Also appearing on the ballot are Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener and Constitution Party candidate Mark Hackett, with Election Day set for November 3.