Trump rallies for Graham in South Carolina Senate fight

South Carolina voters have not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in nearly 30 years. President Donald Trump returned to the state on Thursday to push Republicans to support Darline Graham in her final days against Democrat Annie Andrews for a six-year Senate term.

Graham was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster in July to fill the remainder of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, term. She secured the Republican nomination in August. Trump praised the late senator as a great politician before telling supporters that his sister has the gene to succeed him.

The race has become unexpectedly competitive in a state that is a traditional Republican stronghold. Andrews, a pediatrician who previously ran for Congress, is urging voters to try something new for once. She told a crowd in Fort Mill on Wednesday that if she is elected and voters are unhappy with her performance, they can fire her in six years.

Graham spoke before the president on Thursday. She said Trump delivered what Washington promised for decades and warned that Andrews would throw those achievements away.

Voter sentiment is shifting among some registered Republicans. Brent Chaplin, a 37-year-old finance and accounting professional in Rock Hill, said it is hard to identify as a Republican right now. He voted for Andrews and encouraged others to think beyond party labels.

Chaplin noted that he voted for Trump in 2016 but believes voters must use brainpower to pick better candidates. He wants to send a message to the powers that be to wake up. Benjamin Updegraft, a 32-year-old software engineer, expressed frustration that the seat might remain in the Graham family. He stated that the Senate is not an inherited position and that noble titles are not passed down between families.

The outcome of the race will be decided on Tuesday, Election Day.