Democrat Annie Andrews appears in South Carolina as Republican Darline Graham absent

Democrat Annie Andrews made a public appearance in South Carolina on Oct. 7, 2026, signalling her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, while former Republican incumbent Darline Graham was not present.

The development matters because South Carolina has been a reliably Republican state in recent federal elections, and Andrews’ emergence suggests a competitive race that could alter the state’s partisan balance in the Senate.

Andrews, the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat, has begun touring the state and meeting voters, a move described in local coverage as her “showing up.” Her visibility contrasts sharply with the absence of Darline Graham, the Republican who succeeded her brother Lindsey Graham in the seat.

In recent weeks Andrews has also shifted her policy messaging on transgender sports. She told Fox News Digital,

“I don’t support biological men playing in women’s sports, and I don’t support gender surgery on minors.”

The remark follows earlier criticism of a 2022 South Carolina law that barred transgender athletes from competing on girls’ and women’s public‑school teams, a position Andrews once defended.

Graham, a Republican who replaced her brother in the Senate, has not made a public appearance alongside Andrews, fueling speculation that the race may be more contested than previously assumed. Her absence was noted in coverage that highlighted Andrews’ growing campaign activity.

Political analysts note that a Democratic win would be a rare “blue” shift in a state that has consistently sent Republicans to Washington. The race is attracting national attention as both parties invest resources to sway moderate voters.

The next steps include Andrews’ scheduled town‑hall meetings across the state and the upcoming primary contests that will determine each party’s final nominee before the November 2026 general election.