Democrat Annie Andrews won the South Carolina Senate race. She defeated Republican Senator Darline Graham.
USA Today called it arguably the biggest upset of the 2026 midterms. Andrews is a pediatrician.
She becomes the first woman to win a Senate election in South Carolina. She is also the first Democrat to win in the state in decades.
An upset decades in the making
Graham reached the office by appointment in July. Her brother, Lindsey Graham, died then. He held the seat for more than 23 years.
Andrews told supporters the office does not belong to one family. She said it does not belong to one party either. She said it does not belong to Washington.
She thanked Graham for her public service. Graham called to congratulate her on the victory.
The win helped deliver the Senate majority to Democrats. It showed the party’s reach into deep Republican territory.
What is confirmed: Andrews won the seat. The Senate majority already went to Democrats. Andrews takes office with the new Congress in January.
