For Subscribers ‘Darline is not Lindsey’: Could a Graham really lose South Carolina for the GOP?

Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to the seat after her brother Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly in July, is facing growing doubts about her campaign in South Carolina. Democratic nominee Annie Andrews has become newly competitive in a state President Donald Trump carried by 18 points two years ago, and no Democrat has taken a Senate seat there since 1998. Republicans in the state and in Washington are now putting millions of dollars more into advertising to help her, according to CNN.

A recent Senate Judiciary hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith illustrated the contrast with her brother. Reading from notes, she accused Smith of bullying Trump allies by collecting her brother's phone data. Smith answered that Lindsey Graham had not been a target and would probably have been a witness. The exchange apparently drew little attention in South Carolina.

A staffer for another GOP statewide candidate told CNN she might win by only two or three points. Dorchester County Republican chairman CJ Westfall cited weak fundraising and energy. Her spokesperson, T.W. Arrighi, said she is winning and blamed a month of misleading ads. Allies say comparing her with her brother is unfair.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →