Annie Andrews, the Democrat who had been running against Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in South Carolina's Senate race, issued a statement Saturday calling for unity following the Republican senator's sudden death.
Graham, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, according to multiple reports. He had represented South Carolina in the Senate since 2003 and was seeking reelection this cycle against Andrews.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans mourned the loss of their colleague. Senate Minority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) called Graham 'a fierce advocate for South Carolina and a trusted voice on national security' in a statement Saturday evening.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee suspended its advertising against Andrews, with Chairman Rick Scott saying the party was 'praying for Senator Graham's family during this unimaginable time.'
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and called an emergency session of the legislature to discuss scheduling a special election.
What the Left Is Saying
In her statement, Andrews offered personal condolences while emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation during a time of grief. '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. She added that 'now more than ever, we must come together as South Carolinians and set partisanship aside to honor his legacy.'
Progressive groups echoed similar sentiments. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released a statement saying Democrats were 'deeply saddened' by the news and would pause campaign activities out of respect.
Some progressive activists noted Graham's history of occasional bipartisan work, including his collaborations with former Sen. John McCain on immigration reform efforts and his involvement in foreign policy debates.
What the Numbers Show
Graham had represented South Carolina since 2003, winning four previous Senate elections by margins ranging from 15 to 28 percentage points. His most recent polling showed him leading Andrews by approximately 12 points ahead of November's general election.
South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998, when Ernest 'Fritz' Hollings won his final term. The state's last open Senate seat was filled in 2005 following Graham's appointment after Jim DeMint resigned.
The special election to fill Graham's remaining term would likely be held within 90 days of a formal vacancy declaration under South Carolina law.
The Bottom Line
Graham's death creates significant uncertainty for both parties in South Carolina. Democrats face the challenge of potentially facing a Republican nominee chosen by party leaders rather than voters in a primary, while Republicans must quickly unite behind a successor. Andrews' call for setting partisanship aside reflects an effort to position herself as a unifying figure during a period of mourning. The special election timeline and candidate selection process will now dominate political discussion in the state for weeks to come.