Voters Doubt Darline Graham's Senate Experience
A new AP Voter Poll finds South Carolina voters are split on the appointed Republican's qualifications for the seat her late brother once held.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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About 6 in 10 South Carolina Senate voters say Republican Darline Graham does not have the right experience to serve as a senator, according to the AP Voter Poll. Graham was appointed to the seat after Sen. Lindsey Graham died in July, and then chose to stand for election.
Why it matters
The poll shows that the open South Carolina seat is contested on experience, not only on policy, with most Republican voters backing Graham's qualifications while a broader share of the electorate does not. The result will shape how the race is framed for the remaining weeks of the campaign.
The AP Voter Poll found about 6 in 10 South Carolina Senate voters say Darline Graham does not have the right experience, with most Republican voters disagreeing. Voters are divided on whether Democrat Annie Andrews is too extreme, and the poll does not show how these views will affect turnout.
The players
Darline Graham
Darline Graham is the Republican candidate in the South Carolina Senate race, appointed to the seat after her brother's death.
Annie Andrews
Annie Andrews is the Democratic candidate opposing Darline Graham in the South Carolina Senate race.
AP Voter Poll
The AP Voter Poll is the survey conducted by The Associated Press that measured voter views on the Senate races in South Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio.
The details
Sen. Lindsey Graham died in July, and Darline Graham was appointed to fill the open seat before choosing to run for election. The AP Voter Poll surveyed Senate voters in South Carolina as part of a wider look at races in Georgia and Ohio.
Timeline
July 2026: Sen. Lindsey Graham died, creating the open South Carolina Senate seat.
November 4, 2026: AP Voter Poll results on the South Carolina Senate race were published.
Political Context
The AP Voter Poll applies the same questions on experience and extremism to Senate races in South Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio, allowing the South Carolina result to be compared with the other contests. Opposition to Graham's experience is measured alongside Democrats' extremism ratings, showing how each race is being judged on different grounds.
For South Carolina voters, the poll suggests the Senate race will turn on whether Graham's appointment and experience are accepted by the electorate. Voters weighing their choice can compare the candidates' records and stated qualifications before the election.
The takeaway
Voter confidence in a candidate's experience can matter as much as party loyalty in a Senate race. Readers can check each candidate's background against the issues most important to them before the vote.
Further reading
For more on the candidates and races, see Elections coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PBS.
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