Democrat Annie Andrews has won a US Senate seat in traditionally Republican South Carolina, defeating Republican Darline Graham in a major upset, according to media projections.
Andrews, a paediatrician, becomes the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the state in 28 years, securing a significant gain for her party as it seeks to overturn the Republicans’ 53-47 majority in the chamber.
The victory came in a state President Donald Trump won by 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, reflecting growing voter dissatisfaction with his administration and its handling of the economy.
The contest attracted national attention following the sudden death of Graham’s brother, US Senator Lindsey Graham, in July.
Trump had lobbied South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to appoint his sister, a relatively unknown state employee with no previous experience in elected office, to fill the vacant seat. He also publicly encouraged her to contest the full Senate term.
Graham subsequently defeated US Representative Ralph Norman in the Republican primary runoff in August, but divisions within the party persisted.
Norman told local media he would vote for Graham but that members of his family would not. He also declined to campaign alongside her.
Her limited political experience came under scrutiny during a Republican runoff debate in August, when she admitted she was not “that informed on national security” and that national security was “not my thing.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined to endorse Graham, although he described her as a strong candidate.
Former Republican Governor David Beasley and former Democratic Governor Jim Hodges, however, jointly endorsed Andrews.
Republican officials had privately expressed concerns about Graham’s candidacy, according to a party strategist who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The party reportedly became increasingly frustrated as national Republican organisations were forced to redirect resources towards protecting the seat.
Republican outside groups spent $27 million on efforts to retain the seat, while Democratic groups invested $24 million in their bid to flip it.
Graham acknowledged her political inexperience, describing herself as “not a polished politician”, but defended her qualifications during an October debate with Andrews, insisting she was “just as qualified” as her opponent.
Trump’s approval ratings have remained close to a career low as voters express dissatisfaction with the war against Iran, rising diesel prices and the cost of living.
The president held a rally in South Carolina last week as the contest tightened, where Graham described Andrews as “batshit crazy”.
Responding to the remark, Andrews challenged Graham, asking whether it was crazy “to want cheaper gas and groceries.”
Andrews’ victory came as Democrats recorded unexpected gains in several closely watched Senate and House contests as part of their campaign to regain control of both chambers of Congress.
The party has pledged to launch investigations into Trump administration officials, cabinet members and companies accused of making concessions to the White House or yielding to the president’s demands.
In addition to South Carolina, Democrats picked up Senate seats in North Carolina, Ohio, Kansas and Texas, according to media projections.
“This night is turning into a very clear repudiation of Trump, MAGA and the Republican party,” said Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg.
Republicans, however, retained Florida’s Senate seat in a tighter-than-expected contest, with incumbent Ashley Moody defeating Democrat Angie Nixon.
Democrats also held several House seats in redrawn districts intended to favour Republicans in North Carolina, Florida and other states.
The party was also projected to win seats in deeply conservative states that had previously been considered safe Republican territory.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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