In South Carolina, Annie Andrews wins 2026 Senate election, flipping seat for Democrats in stunning upset

A surprising Democratic victory

CBS News projects that Andrews defeated Graham in the South Carolina Senate race, delivering a major upset. The result gives Democrats an unexpected gain as they seek to flip the Senate.

Andrews, 45, is a pediatrician who centered her campaign on healthcare access and affordability, as well as fighting corruption in Washington. Graham, 62, was the incumbent after being appointed to serve the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham’s term following his sudden death in July.

Graham’s path to the ballot

Before joining the Senate, Graham was commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. She won a special primary election to become the Republican nominee for a full six-year term representing the state. Andrews challenged Graham’s experience during the shortened primary campaign, citing Graham’s remark that she was “not that informed on national security.”

A race drawing major spending

The contest became far more competitive than expected, prompting Republican groups to support Graham. The Senate Leadership Fund, the main Republican super PAC, invested $5 million in October.

A tough state for Democrats

Andrews faced a steep challenge in South Carolina, which had not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998. Trump carried the state by 18 points in 2024. Her projected win marks a notable change in the state’s Senate representation and gives Democrats a seat as they pursue control of the chamber.