Darline Graham, appointed to late brother's Senate seat, loses it to Democrat Annie Andrews
The gist
Republican Darline Graham, appointed to her late brother Lindsey Graham's South Carolina Senate seat in July, lost the race to Democrat Annie Andrews.
The defeat hands Democrats their first statewide win in South Carolina in 28 years.
How it unfolded
- Jul 11, 2026Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly, triggering a special election season.
- Jul 13, 2026Gov. Henry McMaster announced Darline Graham would serve the rest of her late brother's Senate term, which expires in January.
- Aug 11, 2026Graham advanced as the top vote-getter from a 10-way GOP primary field, with Rep. Ralph Norman as runner-up.