Annie Andrews' Chances of Defeating Republicans to Flip South Carolina
Andrews is working to flip the South Carolina Senate seat formerly held by the late Lindsey Graham.
Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, is facing an uphill battle in South Carolina's upcoming Senate election after securing the Democratic nomination in June. No candidate reached 50% of the vote in the special primary, so the top two vote-getters, including Republican candidates Darline Graham and Ralph Norman, will advance to the runoff on August 25.
Despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Graham received only 32.6% of the vote, while Norman received 24%. Andrews, who has been touring the state and discussing issues like Medicaid cuts and gas prices with voters, believes that 2026 could be the year South Carolina flips from a reliably Republican state to a competitive one.
She attributes this potential shift to the growing concerns over inflation and the cost of living, as well as the lack of progress from the current administration. Republicans have been "racing to the right" to prove their loyalty to Trump, which Andrews sees as out of step with voter concerns. Prediction markets and forecasting services favor Republicans, giving them an 87% chance of winning the seat.
However, Andrews remains optimistic, pointing to the growing dissatisfaction among some Republicans with the party's current direction.
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