Annie Andrews Wins South Carolina Senate Seat in Major Upset

Andrews focuses campaign on economic and healthcare issues

Andrews campaigned as a moderate candidate who did not align herself with the Left or the Democratic Socialists of America. She focused her platform on the economy, rural hospitals, Medicaid, inflation, and home affordability.

The candidate entered politics after treating patients whose parents expressed concern about the costs of insulin and inhalers. During the campaign, she visited York County nearly 12 times. Andrews also deflected Republican attacks concerning transgender women playing in women's sports and gender reassignment surgery.

Darline Graham defeated after appointment to brother's seat

Darline Graham lost the election following her appointment to the Senate seat in July. She took the position after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. During the campaign, she faced a Republican primary challenge from Congressman Ralph Norman, who did not fully support her. Some Republican voters opposed the Graham family and displayed signs stating, "Say no to Dynasty Darline". A write-in campaign for Norman did not significantly impact the final vote count.

President Donald Trump supported Graham and held rallies alongside her. Graham held a campaign event in Columbia, South Carolina, on August 25, 2026, following her primary victory.

The atmosphere at Graham’s election-night party was positive at 7:00 p.m.. Graham and Attorney General Alan Wilson attended the event at the main hall. The mood turned sour as results appeared on screens showing Annie Andrews as the winner, leading to frustration among the crowd.

President Trump indicated he will veto extreme measures from a Democratic-controlled Congress but expressed a willingness to work together on certain issues. Intelligence services warned Congress that FISA reauthorization is required later in November 2026 to avoid operational issues for the program.

Midterm results spark national political comparisons

Political observers compare the 2026 midterm election results to the political shifts of 1994, 2010, and 2018. Fox News reports the 2026 results mirror the 1994 midterms in their scale.

Retired Clemson University political scientist David Woodard said he did not expect a new Democratic senator in South Carolina. Democrats flipped 10 Republican-held seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives, breaking the Republican supermajority in the lower chamber.

Annie Andrews, Adam Hamilton of Kansas, and Josh Turek of Iowa won Senate seats, marking significant Democratic inroads into the South and Midwest.

Several House Democrats flipped Republican districts, including Don Leonard in Ohio, Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin, Christina Bohannan in Iowa, and Fred Wellman in Missouri. Democrats could potentially win more than 240 House seats and increase their current total of 54 Senate seats.

Heading into the election, 23 of 35 Senate seats favored Republicans. Democrats now threaten investigations into the Trump administration, including inquests into family members, cryptocurrency, pay-to-play schemes, and officials like Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Kristi Noem.

House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled he will not run for minority leader, while Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan seek the position. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer announced his intention to run for the whip position again. Hakeem Jeffries serves as House Minority Leader and Chuck Schumer serves as Senate Minority Leader.

Several progressive and DSA-affiliated members were elected, including Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Reps.-elect Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, Melat Kiros, Donavan McKinney, and Chris Rabb. These members have not yet taken office.

Fox News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram reports that attendance during the lame duck session will likely be low. This is due to the number of retiring lawmakers and the results of the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, midterm elections.

Congressional landscape faces government funding deadline

Republicans maintain control of both the House and the Senate. Government funding expires on Dec. 11, 2026, creating the potential for a government shutdown.

Telecom companies have provided information to intelligence services without formal congressional approval for several months.

Andrews calls for unity following victory

Annie Andrews ran unsuccessfully for Congress before her successful Senate campaign. Following her victory, Andrews called for unity, stating, "There is more that we have in common than truly divides us".