South Carolina Senate Race Tied in Final Stretch, New Poll Shows

A State That Rarely Votes Blue

A new poll reveals that Democratic challenger Annie Andrews is tied with Republican incumbent Darline Graham in the U. S. Senate race in South Carolina. The state has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1998. Donald Trump won the state by nearly 18 points in the 2024 presidential election.

The survey, conducted by The New York Times, marks a dramatic shift in a traditionally red state. South Carolina has been solidly Republican for decades. The tie suggests the race is genuinely competitive in its final phase.

South Carolina last elected a Democratic senator in 1998. Since then, Republicans have dominated the state's Senate seats. In 2024, Trump carried the state by a wide margin. The current tie with Andrews signals that the 2026 race could break that long-standing pattern.

The poll result raises the question of whether South Carolina will finally elect a Democrat to the Senate after nearly three decades. Andrews' tie with Graham indicates strong Democratic momentum in the final stretch. If the trend holds, the state could see a historic shift in its Senate representation. Frequently Asked Questions

Could a Democrat Finally Win Here?

Who are the candidates in the South Carolina Senate race? Annie Andrews, a Democrat, is challenging Republican incumbent Darline Graham. The New York Times poll shows them tied in the final phase of the campaign.

When did South Carolina last elect a Democratic senator? The state last sent a Democrat to the Senate in 1998. No Democrat has won a Senate seat there since that time.

How did Trump perform in South Carolina in 2024? Donald Trump won South Carolina by nearly 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, underscoring the state's strong Republican lean.