Dead heat in US Senate race in South Carolina ahead of Trump’s Rock Hill visit

ROCK HILL, S.C. (WBTV) - Republicans were counting on a red wave in South Carolina in the general midterm election on Nov. 3.

Instead, the GOP is sending President Donald Trump to the state for the third time since August, while dumping millions of dollars into the Senate race trying to push Senator Darline Graham over the finish line.

As of mid-October, the GOP has spent $20 million on this race alone.

The most recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, published on Oct. 28, shows a virtually dead heat in a race that most thought Graham would easily win in a predominantly Republican state.

Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was appointed to the position over the summer following her brother’s unexpected death.

Instead, Democratic Senate nominee Dr. Annie Andrews has steadily gained ground over the last 6 weeks, giving Democrats hope that a blue wave is indeed coming on Election Day.

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Breaking down the poll results

Digging deeper into the polling data, Andrews is strongest with voters in southeast South Carolina and in Charleston, where her campaign is based. Meanwhile, Graham has a stronghold in the Upstate and the Rock Hill region.

Andrews, according to the poll, is most popular with younger voters (ages 18-29) and women. She leads by wide margins in both categories, while Graham leads the male vote by 15%.

One might think that President Trump’s endorsement and continued campaigning would bolster Graham in the polls. However, in this poll, 46% of those who responded strongly disapprove of Trump’s handling of his duties as commander in chief.

According to the poll, 38% of those who responded consider themselves as Republican voters, while only 27% are Democrats; 30% label themselves as Independents.

Most shocking is the number who are leaning Democrat in this race in South Carolina. If the election were held today, 47% said they would lean Democrat, 35% Republican, and 18% said they still weren’t sure.

---> Watch more: Breaking down 2026 US Senate races in North Carolina and South Carolina

The rally on Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center will again feature Sen. Darline Graham and other prominent Republican speakers. President Trump is scheduled to speak at 12:30 p.m.

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