Impact Research survey shows Andrews and Graham deadlocked at 41–41 ten weeks from Election Day, Andrews leading Independents by 33 points
CHARLESTON, S.C. — New polling released today by Impact Research shows the race for U.S. Senate in South Carolina is tied — Dr. Annie Andrews 41%, Senator Darline Graham 41% — just ten weeks from Election Day.
The survey shows Dr. Andrews — a pediatrician, mom of three, and the Democratic nominee — leading by 33 points among Independent voters, with a 36% favorable / 21% unfavorable image statewide and a net +24 favorable rating among Independents.
Senator Graham, by contrast, begins the general election deeply underwater after a series of significant gaffes and questions about her readiness to serve South Carolina in the US Senate. Senator Graham sits at 31% favorable / 49% unfavorable statewide, a net -47 rating among pure Independents, and just 53% favorable / 32% unfavorable among Republicans.
The race moves further in Andrews’ direction once voters learn about both candidates: after hearing balanced biographies, Dr. Andrews takes a 5-point lead statewide and a 39-point lead among Independents — solidifying her Democratic base while winning voters in the middle by large margins.
“South Carolinians are ready for change — and this poll proves what I hear in every county I visit,” said Dr. Annie Andrews. “Families here are struggling with the cost of groceries, gas, and health care, and they’re done with a Washington machine that answers to corporate PACs instead of the people. This seat doesn’t belong to any politician, any party, or any machine. It belongs to the people of South Carolina — and ten weeks from now, they’re going to take it back.”
The findings confirm that South Carolina’s open Senate seat is a true battleground: a tied ballot, a decisive Andrews advantage with Independents, and a matchup between a candidate voters like more the more they learn — and a newly-minted nominee who enters the general election 18 points underwater with the voters she needs to win.
Dr. Andrews enters the general election with the strongest grassroots operation in South Carolina history: more than $12 million raised from nearly 500,000 individual contributions averaging $28 — with zero corporate PAC money — a decisive primary win, and paid communications already on the air statewide.
The full polling memo from Impact Research is available here.