Can a well-funded pediatrician overcome a decades-long historical voting streak in the upcoming November election?

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It is possible, but Annie Andrews remains the underdog. Andrews enters November with assets that could make the race more competitive than South Carolina’s history suggests. She is a pediatrician with a sizable campaign fund, a strong grassroots organization, and a message centered on health care, affordability, gun violence and ethics. Democrats also argue that a volatile national mood and voter concern about costs could give an outsider-style candidate some opening. Still, the structural facts strongly favor Darline Graham. South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998, and Republicans have dominated statewide federal races for years. Donald Trump carried the state comfortably in recent presidential elections, including by 18 points in 2024. Independent forecasters and prediction markets continue to give Republicans a clear edge, with some estimates putting GOP chances near or above 80%. Graham also comes out of the runoff with major advantages: incumbency, broad Republican donor support, the Graham family name, and backing from Trump and national Republican groups. Even though Ralph Norman’s supporters showed frustration with Trump’s intervention, Norman said he would support Graham, which limits the chance of a lasting Republican split. So Andrews can make the race competitive if she keeps raising money, maximizes turnout in Democratic-friendly areas such as Charleston and Columbia, and persuades independents and moderate suburban voters. But overcom…

South Carolina GOP Voters Boo Trump After Darline Graham Wins Senate Runoff by 5 Points

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South Carolina GOP Voters Boo Trump After Darline Graham Wins Senate Runoff by 5 Points

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