Graham’s Democratic reelection challenger calls for ‘setting partisanship aside’

Campaign Graham’s Democratic reelection challenger calls for ‘setting partisanship aside’ Comments: by Max Rego - 07/12/26 4:26 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Max Rego - 07/12/26 4:26 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Democrat Annie Andrews, who was running against Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in the South Carolina Senate race, called for “setting partisanship aside” after Graham’s death on Saturday.

“My deepest condolences are with the family of Senator Lindsey Graham, his friends, his devoted staff, and all who are grieving this sudden and tremendous loss,” Andrews wrote in a statement.

Andrews went on to praise Graham for rising from “his small-town roots to the halls of the U.S. Senate” and noted he “proudly served our nation” as a judge advocate general officer and U.S. Air Force colonel.

“I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina,” she concluded.

Graham, who represented the Palmetto State for more than 23 years in the upper chamber, died from a “brief and sudden illness” on Saturday evening, his office announced early Sunday. He was 71 years old.

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the four-term senator’s office added.

Emergency personnel responded to a call for “cardiac arrest” at Graham’s house in Capitol Hill on Saturday night, according to scanner audio obtained by NBC News.

Andrews, a pediatrician, won the Senate Democratic primary in South Carolina last month — defeating Brandon Brown, the former deputy tax commissioner for Chatham County, S.C., by more than 31 points.

Graham also comfortably won his primary and was the favorite to win reelection to a fifth term in November. A Democrat has not won a Senate election in the Palmetto State since former Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.) won his final race in 1998.

Under state law, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) must appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Graham’s term, which ends on Jan. 3, 2027.

As for who will succeed Graham as the GOP nominee, state law calls for a special primary to take place a month after his death. The filing period for the Aug. 11 primary will conclude on July 21. A runoff, if needed, will occur on Aug. 25.

Multiple South Carolina lawmakers, including outgoing Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), have expressed interest in succeeding Graham since his death.

If Mace were to win the nomination, the general election would mark a rematch between her and Andrews. The incumbent representative defeated the Democrat in her bid for a second House term in 2022.

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