Dr. Annie Andrews, a 45-year-old pediatrician and Democratic candidate, is intensifying her campaign to unseat the late Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat in South Carolina. Graham, a Republican who shaped state politics for decades, died unexpectedly at age 71. Andrews learned of his death early Sunday morning while dropping her youngest daughter off at summer camp and described the moment as "unexpected and unbelievable," calling it "a profound moment for the whole state of South Carolina."

For over a year, Andrews had been building a grassroots campaign to challenge Graham, positioning herself as an outsider "powered by people, not Pacs [political action committees]." She had aimed to become South Carolina’s first female senator but now faces Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, who was appointed to complete his term and will compete in the Republican primary next month.

Despite the change in opponent, Andrews emphasized that "the problems that South Carolinians are facing did not change over that weekend," and her mission remains unchanged. She highlighted public health concerns, recalling that her decision to run was influenced by the nomination of RFK Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which she described as "the worst-case scenario for America’s public health system."

Andrews expressed frustration over the spread of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, noting that measles cases in the US have reached a 35-year high, with over 90% of infections occurring among the unvaccinated or those with unknown vaccination status, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Additionally, Andrews acknowledged that while gun control might not be the primary issue for voters in 2026, she remains committed to combating gun violence, which she described as "the leading cause of death for kids in South Carolina and kids all across this country."

Sources