South Carolina politics usually feels like a foregone conclusion. You know how it goes. The Republican wins by double digits, the Democrat gives a concession speech about "fighting the good fight," and life moves on. But things just got a whole lot more interesting in the Palmetto State. Pediatrician Annie Andrews announces SC Senate run against Lindsey Graham, and she isn't exactly playing by the old-school rules of polite Southern political discourse.
Honestly, if you saw her launch video, you know what I’m talking about. She didn’t lead with tax policy or zoning laws. Instead, Dr. Andrews stood there in her white lab coat, showed an X-ray of a child with a specific digestive issue, and basically told the camera that Lindsey Graham is "full of s---."
Bold? Yeah. Risky? Absolutely. But for a state that hasn't sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998, maybe "bold" is the only card left to play.
The Pediatrician vs. the Career Politician
Dr. Annie Andrews isn't a newcomer to the trail, though she's still a doctor first. She spent years at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) treating kids. She’s seen the results of gun violence, poverty, and healthcare gaps firsthand in the exam room. In 2022, she tried to unseat Nancy Mace in the 1st Congressional District. She lost that one by about 14 points, but she didn't just go back to business as usual.
She founded Their Future. Our Vote., a nonprofit and PAC focused on "Kids First" policies. Basically, she’s betting that South Carolinians care more about their children’s future than they do about partisan loyalty.
Lindsey Graham, on the other hand, is a fixture. He’s been in that seat since 2003. That is over 20 years. He’s running for his fifth term. To put that in perspective, there are voters in South Carolina who weren't even born when he first took office.
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Why the 2026 Race is Different
The main thrust of the Annie Andrews SC Senate run against Lindsey Graham is the idea of "waffling." Andrews is leaning hard into the narrative that Graham has changed his tune on just about everything to stay in power. She’s specifically pointing to his shifting relationship with Donald Trump.
In her launch, she called it "embarrassing" to watch Graham go from calling Trump a "kook" in 2016 to being one of his staunchest allies in 2026.
But it's not just about Trump. Andrews is hitting on specific 2026 pain points:
- Healthcare Gutting: She’s sounding the alarm on potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
- The "Chaos" Factor: She mentions the current administration's "chainsaw" approach to federal agencies.
- The Bluey Factor: She talks about being a mom who watches Bluey and drives kids to taekwondo. It’s an attempt to contrast her "real life" with Graham’s life in the D.C. bubble.
Can a Democrat Actually Win in South Carolina?
Look, let’s be real. The math is brutal.
Donald Trump won South Carolina by 18 points in 2024. Jaime Harrison raised over $100 million in 2020 to try and beat Graham and still lost by 10 points.
Andrews argues that Harrison was "hamstrung" by the pandemic. She thinks being able to actually get on the ground, shake hands, and look parents in the eye will change the dynamic. She's already raised nearly $3 million as of late 2025, which isn't Graham's $18 million, but it’s enough to keep the lights on and the ads running.
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The polling is... well, it's tight for a Republican stronghold. Some early Public Policy Polling data from late 2025 showed Graham at 42% and Andrews at 36%, with a huge 22% undecided. That’s a lot of people who aren't quite sold on another six years of Lindsey.
The Republican Primary Hurdle
Before Andrews even gets her shot in November, Graham has to survive his own house. He’s got challengers like Mark Lynch and Paul Dans (the Project 2025 guy) coming at him from the right.
If Graham gets bruised in a primary, it could leave an opening. Or, it could just solidify the GOP base. South Carolina Republicans have a habit of grumbling about Graham and then voting for him anyway when the alternative is a Democrat.
What This Means for You
If you live in South Carolina—or if you just care about the balance of power in D.C.—this is the race to watch. It’s a test case. Can a "mom in scrubs" with a sharp tongue and a focus on "common sense over culture wars" actually crack the red wall?
Andrews is focusing on:
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- Gun Safety: She’s a senior advisor for Everytown and doesn't shy away from the topic.
- Reproductive Rights: South Carolina’s six-week ban is a massive talking point for her.
- Cost of Living: Specifically how tariffs and healthcare costs are hitting Lowcountry families.
Graham’s camp, of course, calls her "radical" and "out of touch." His spokesperson, Kevin Knoop, has already been vocal about Graham’s record on judges and the border.
Actionable Steps for Voters
Whether you're team Andrews or team Graham, the 2026 cycle is moving fast.
- Check Your Registration: South Carolina has closed primaries for some, but generally, you need to be registered 30 days before the June 9, 2026 primary.
- Follow the Money: Use the FEC.gov website to see who is actually funding these campaigns. It tells you a lot about whose interests they’ll represent.
- Watch the Debates: Andrews is a practiced debater (she held her own against Mace). Seeing her and Graham on the same stage will be the real litmus test for this "doctor vs. politician" dynamic.
The Annie Andrews SC Senate run against Lindsey Graham isn't just another long-shot bid. It’s a direct challenge to the idea that South Carolina politics has to stay exactly the way it's been for the last quarter-century.
Stay informed by following local South Carolina outlets like The Post and Courier or The State for granular updates on town halls and local endorsements as the June primary approaches.