(The Center Square) – One of two South Carolina seats in the U.S. Senate longest in the hands of Republicans, since 1964, will belong to Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews for the next six years.
Occupied by legendary Sens. Strom Thurmond and Lindsey Graham during much of that time, Andrews on Tuesday defeated the latter’s sister Sen. Darline Graham. Darline Graham has been appointed to the seat after the unexpected July death of her brother, then sought the role backed by second-term Republican President Donald Trump.
There hasn’t been a Democrat from the state in the U.S. Senate since Sen. Fritz Holdings retired in 1998, and this particular seat hasn’t had a Democrat since the day – Sept. 16, 1964 – Thurmond during his second term switched to the Republican Party, becoming the state’s first GOP senator since 1879.
Considered ruby red with six of seven members in the U.S. House of Representatives from the Republican Party, this Election Day midterm was closely contested on the federal level. Rep. James Clyburn won his district as expected, and at time of publication with only nine of 46 counties incomplete, the others were toss-ups yet to be called.
Graham, previously commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and in public office for the first time, was chosen by the governor to fill the rest of her brother’s term this year. He had easily won a June primary and was poised for a fifth six-year term. She drew support, including from second-term Republican President Donald Trump, to seek a spot on this year’s ballot and continue in office.
Andrews is a pediatrician by trade and polled much closer than normal state trends.
Graham campaigned along Republican Party lines. She was in support of permanent tax cuts; work requirements on able-bodied adults seeking federal subsidy; secure borders, with American programs for Americans rather than people breaking the law to be in the country; opposed taxpayer-funded abortion; supported Second Amendment rights; and wants to improve care for veterans.
Andrews campaigned along party lines of Democrats. She advocates raising the minimum wage; expansion and permanent refundable child tax credit; access to abortion; more money for K-12 education; modernized infrastructure; and more restrictions in gun ownership.