Annie Andrews
Democrat · Challenger · U.S. Senate (SC) · 2026
Pediatrician and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee running a campaign focused on healthcare costs and gun violence prevention.
Before politics: Pediatrician, Medical University of South Carolina Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina
Their shot at this seat
Annie Andrews faces a difficult climb against the seat's significant partisan lean, and while her massive fundraising advantage proves her candidacy is serious, she likely needs to significantly outperform the district's historical trends to overcome the Republican advantage.
Who's behind them
Andrews is assembling a robust, grassroots-funded campaign that ensures her visibility and ability to compete throughout the state.
What could go wrong
Annie Andrews must overcome voters' potential concerns about her prior electoral defeat to gain the momentum necessary for a victory.
Why they fit this seat
The transition to an open-seat election creates a distinct opportunity for a moderate, professional archetype like Annie Andrews to disrupt traditional partisan voting patterns.
Key contrasts
supports affordability plan; federal gas tax suspension
supports tax cuts and balanced budget amendment
Who this moves: Working families burdened by high costs and inflation.
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| Issue | Annie Andrews | Darline Graham | Who this moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy and taxes | Supports supports affordability plan; federal gas tax suspension | Supports supports tax cuts and balanced budget amendment | Working families burdened by high costs and inflation. |
| Healthcare | Supports supports Medicaid expansion; patient-centered healthcare model | Opposes opposes government-run healthcare, emphasizes affordability | Voters concerned by rising healthcare costs and Medicaid cuts. |
| Abortion and social issues | Supports supports abortion access; codifying Roe v. Wade | Supports supports 6-week ban and national restrictions | Suburban women and their husbands in SC-01. |
| Democracy and elections | Supports emphasizes authenticity; supports ethics reform, no PACs | No record appointed incumbent, no prior elected office experience | Non-MAGA Republicans seeking an alternative to career politicians. |
| Immigration and border | Supports supports reform combining border security and citizenship paths | Supports advocates for immediate deportation of all illegal immigrants | Moderate voters seeking balanced immigration solutions. |
| Foreign policy and defense | Opposes opposes Iran war; prioritizes diplomacy and school safety | Avoids admitted lack of expertise and focus on national security | Voters concerned by Graham's admitted lack of security knowledge. |
Who has more standing to be believed
| Credibility axis | Annie Andrews | Darline Graham |
|---|---|---|
Insider knowledge | Never held elected office; pediatrician with no prior legislative or executive experience. | State or local office only, no statewide or state-chamber leadership post. |
Message discipline | Reported flip-flops and contradictions in 2022 campaign coverage; no apology or staffing change. | Two or more documented reversals, contradictions, or retractions on record. |
Moral legitimacy | Endorsed by party organization and aligned PACs; no censure or withdrawn endorsements on record. | A same-party rival, faction, or officeholder publicly declined to endorse or backed a primary rival. |
Pressure absorption | Lost most recent 2022 congressional race; no contested primary or recall on record. | Won a contested primary against a credible, actively-campaigning challenger. |
Never held elected office; pediatrician with no prior legislative or executive experience.
State or local office only, no statewide or state-chamber leadership post.
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Network
Endorsements and money spent against
National: Democrats Work For America — per Ballotpedia. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence EMILY's List — per VoteSmart (2026).
Mobilization
Signals against
The case they'd make
Annie Andrews campaigns as a pragmatic pediatrician focused on healthcare access and affordability for working families. Her candidacy aims to win over suburban voters, non-MAGA Republicans, and moderates concerned about current representation. The race transitioned into an open-seat contest following the incumbent's death, providing a unique opening for her outsider platform.