As interest in the 2026 election grows, many voters are asking who is running for senate in south carolina. The race has changed dramatically following the death of longtime Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in July 2026, turning what was expected to be an incumbent reelection campaign into one of the most closely watched open-seat contests in the country.
With South Carolina preparing to elect its next U.S. senator in November 2026, political parties are moving quickly to finalize their candidates while state officials oversee the legal process required after the unexpected vacancy. Here is the latest information on the candidates, the election process, and what voters should know.
Why the 2026 South Carolina Senate Race Is So Important
South Carolina has long been considered a reliably Republican state in federal elections. However, open Senate seats are relatively rare, making this year’s race especially significant.
The election will determine who succeeds Senator Lindsey Graham and joins Senator Tim Scott in representing South Carolina in the U.S. Senate beginning in January 2027.
Because Senate races can influence the balance of power in Congress, both national parties are expected to devote considerable attention and resources to South Carolina throughout the campaign.
How the Race Changed After Lindsey Graham’s Death
The political landscape shifted suddenly after Senator Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly in July 2026 while seeking a fifth Senate term. He had already secured the Republican nomination in the June primary before his passing.
Under South Carolina law, Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the winner of the November election is sworn into office. The South Carolina Republican Party must also select a replacement nominee through a special process established by state election law.
The vacancy transformed the election from a challenge against a longtime incumbent into an open-seat contest that could attract additional high-profile candidates.
Current Democratic Candidate
The Democratic Party has already selected its nominee.
Dr. Annie Andrews
Dr. Annie Andrews is a Charleston pediatrician who won the Democratic primary earlier this year.
Her campaign has focused on several major issues, including:
- Affordable healthcare
- Lower prescription drug costs
- Public education
- Economic opportunity
- Protecting reproductive rights
- Government accountability
Andrews previously ran for Congress and has built her statewide campaign around healthcare and working-family issues.
Unless election rules require changes because of the vacancy on the Republican side, Andrews remains the Democratic nominee for the November general election.
Who Is Running for the Republican Nomination?
The Republican situation is more fluid because Lindsey Graham had already won the GOP primary before his death.
Several Republicans originally challenged Graham during the primary, including:
- Calvin Cowen
- Thomas Dismukes
- Patrick Herrmann
- Mark Lynch
- Darius Mitchell
Since Graham’s passing, attention has shifted to potential replacement candidates.
Nancy Mace
One of the most discussed names is U.S. Representative Nancy Mace.
As of today, Mace is strongly considering entering the Senate race, according to multiple reports. However, she has not officially announced a campaign, and no final Republican nominee has yet been confirmed.
Other Potential Republican Candidates
Several other South Carolina Republicans have also been mentioned in political discussions as possible candidates or temporary appointees.
These include experienced elected officials and statewide officeholders. However, no additional candidacies have been officially confirmed.
Until the Republican Party completes its replacement process, the final GOP nominee remains unknown.
What Happens Next Under South Carolina Law?
Because Graham died after winning the Republican primary, South Carolina election law outlines a specific process for filling the vacancy.
Key developments include:
- Governor Henry McMaster appoints an interim U.S. senator.
- The South Carolina Republican Party selects a replacement nominee through a special primary process.
- If necessary, a runoff election will be held.
- The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.
These procedures are designed to ensure voters still have a Republican nominee on the general election ballot.
Major Issues Shaping the Campaign
Although the candidate lineup has changed, the issues expected to dominate the campaign remain largely the same.
Economy
Candidates continue discussing:
- Inflation
- Tax policy
- Job creation
- Manufacturing
- Small business growth
South Carolina’s expanding automotive and aerospace industries remain important parts of the state’s economy.
Healthcare
Healthcare remains one of the central campaign issues.
Topics include:
- Insurance affordability
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Rural hospitals
- Prescription drug prices
Healthcare is expected to remain one of Annie Andrews’ strongest campaign themes given her medical background.
Immigration
Border security and immigration enforcement continue to be priorities for many Republican voters.
Candidates are expected to present differing approaches regarding immigration reform and border policy.
National Security
South Carolina has one of the nation’s largest military populations.
As a result, candidates frequently address:
- Military funding
- Veterans’ healthcare
- National defense
- Foreign policy
Education
Public schools, workforce development, higher education costs, and teacher recruitment remain important issues for many South Carolina families.
Election Timeline
The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Before then, several important steps must occur:
- Appointment of an interim senator
- Republican replacement nomination process
- Candidate certification
- Statewide campaigning
- Debates and voter outreach
Campaign activity is expected to increase significantly as Election Day approaches.
Why This Election Is Drawing National Attention
Open Senate seats are uncommon, particularly in states where one party has held the office for decades.
Political analysts believe the unexpected vacancy has made South Carolina one of the more closely watched Senate races of the 2026 election cycle.
National political organizations are expected to increase fundraising, advertising, and voter mobilization efforts as the campaign develops.
The race could also influence control of the U.S. Senate depending on election results across the country.
Latest Updates
As of today:
- Senator Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly in July 2026 while seeking reelection.
- Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement until the elected senator takes office.
- Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews remains the Democratic nominee.
- Representative Nancy Mace is reportedly considering entering the race but has not officially declared her candidacy.
- The Republican Party is expected to hold a special process to choose a replacement nominee.
- The general election remains scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Because the Republican nomination process is still underway, additional official announcements may occur in the coming weeks.
Final Thoughts
Anyone searching who is running for senate in south carolina should know that the race is still evolving. Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews has already secured her party’s nomination, while Republicans are working to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham on the ballot. Representative Nancy Mace has emerged as a leading potential contender, but she has not officially entered the race. With an open Senate seat, national attention, and several important issues at stake, South Carolina voters can expect one of the state’s most closely watched elections in recent years.
Be sure to check back for the latest South Carolina Senate election updates, and share your thoughts in the comments as the race continues to develop.