All articles tagged with #darline graham
Republican incumbent Darline Graham avoided major blunders in her first general election debate against Democrat Annie Andrews but skipped post-debate press availability. Andrews, a pediatrician, attacked Graham as unqualified, while Graham labeled Andrews a 'radical liberal.' The race in traditionally red South Carolina remains statistically tied, with national GOP spending $5 million to support Graham.
Republican incumbent Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews traded sharp attacks in their only general election debate, focusing on the Iran war, AI data centers, and personal qualifications. The race, which has tightened unexpectedly, is poised to elect South Carolina's first female senator.
Incumbent Sen. Darline Graham faces Democratic challenger Annie Andrews in South Carolina's only general election debate on Sunday, Oct. 11, as polls show a statistical tie in the traditionally red state. National Republicans have injected $5 million into the race to support Graham, who struggled in a primary debate, while Trump has personally campaigned for her despite a controversial slur against Andrews. Early voting begins Oct. 19.
President Trump’s use of an anti-transgender slur against Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews has triggered a defensive response from the Republican establishment. The Senate Leadership Fund is injecting $5 million into the South Carolina race to support incumbent Darline Graham, whom polls show trailing Andrews in a statistical tie. Former Governor David Beasley condemned the president’s rhetoric, while Democratic operatives argue the slur signals GOP panic in a state where voters are increasingly focused on cost-of-living issues rather than culture wars.
The Senate Leadership Fund is spending $5 million to support Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina, a move described as an 'insurance policy' amid tightening polls. This defensive spending follows President Trump's use of an anti-transgender slur against Democratic challenger Annie Andrews, who is outspending her opponent and maintaining a statistical tie in recent surveys.
President Trump used an anti-transgender slur against Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews on Oct. 5, 2026, as Republican Sen. Darline Graham faces a tight race in South Carolina. The controversy coincides with a reported $5 million injection from the Senate Leadership Fund to support Graham, signaling national Republican anxiety. Polls show a statistical tie, and Graham’s campaign struggles with fundraising and public visibility despite Trump’s endorsement.
The Senate Leadership Fund is spending $5 million to support Republican nominee Darline Graham in South Carolina, a state previously considered safe for Republicans. Polls show a statistical tie with Democratic challenger Annie Andrews, prompting national Republican leaders to intervene. Trump has personally campaigned for Graham, using a slur against Andrews, while Democrats reallocate resources to other swing states.
The Cook Political Report reclassified South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race from 'solid Republican' to 'likely Republican' on September 23, 2026. Incumbent Darline Graham remains the favorite but faces a tightening contest against Democrat Annie Andrews amid national anti-incumbent sentiment.
Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha said on NewsNation's Cuomo that while he expects Darline Graham (R-S.C.) to win, Trump’s endorsement may not yield a wide margin. Graham won the Republican runoff over Ralph Norman by just under five points and will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election. The Hill notes Decision Desk HQ gives the GOP roughly an 81% chance to win the seat, and Rocha pointed out that turnout and primary dynamics mean Trump’s backing doesn’t guarantee landslide margins.
Ralph Norman, the South Carolina congressman who lost the Republican Senate runoff to Darline Graham, publicly criticized President Donald Trump for intervening in the race. Norman called Trump's endorsement and spending 'shocking,' arguing the president should not have meddled in a state primary. Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., spent over $827,000 on pro-Graham outreach, and the president held a rally in Myrtle Beach. Graham won the runoff with 52.4% of the vote and is now the GOP nominee for the Senate seat previously held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
Darline Graham won the South Carolina Republican primary to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, but a new poll shows her trailing Democratic opponent Annie Andrews. While Trump backed her campaign, her lack of experience and a narrow primary victory have raised doubts about her chances in the November general election.
Abacus Data shows Darline Graham leading Annie Andrews in the SC U.S. Senate race by 55% to 42%, while an earlier Impact Research poll had Andrews up by 3 points (42% to 39%). Forecasters largely still peg the race as Republican-leaning, with prediction markets favoring Graham as Democrats push fundraising and debate pressure in the run-up to the 2026 midterms.
Trump’s rally and backing helped Darline Graham, a political newcomer appointed to fill Lindsey Graham’s seat, win South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff 52.5% to 47.5%—a victory fueled by strong support in the Pee Dee, a turnout boost, and outside spending, underscoring Trump’s continued sway in GOP primaries even as his general-election popularity remains contested.
Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister and South Carolina’s interim senator, won the Republican primary to run for his U.S. Senate seat in November, backed by Donald Trump; despite having no prior elected office experience, she will face Ralph Norman as SC seeks to maintain its GOP Senate hold.
Trump’s backing helped Sen. Darline Graham win South Carolina’s Senate runoff, but Republicans in battleground states want the president to spend more time and resources in races that will determine control of Congress, signaling a test of his willingness to intervene before the midterms amid concerns about his overall popularity.