Annie Andrews — Candidate Profile

Party: Democrat

Running in: South Carolina Senate Race

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Annie Andrews

DemocratSouth Carolina Senate Race
Campaign Website →

Summary

Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatrician with nearly 20 years of clinical experience caring for South Carolina's children. A mother of three, she splits her time between Charleston, South Carolina, where her children attend public school, and Washington, D.C., where she works at a children's hospital. Andrews previously ran unsuccessfully against Republican Rep. Nancy Mace in 2022, losing in a district race centered on healthcare and abortion rights but establishing herself as a strong fundraiser. The South Carolina measles outbreak in late 2025 became a cornerstone of her campaign platform, with Andrews positioning herself as an expert voice on public health policy and misinformation prevention.

Background

Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatrician who has spent nearly 20 years caring for South Carolina's children in various clinical settings. She is a mother of three children who attend public school in Charleston. Andrews commutes between Charleston and Washington, D.C., where she works at a children's hospital. She holds medical credentials as a pediatrician and has built a following as a health educator on social media. Her 2022 House campaign against Nancy Mace established her as a strong fundraiser despite losing in a Republican-leaning district. She did not initially plan to pursue politics again after her 2022 loss but re-entered the race following Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as health secretary, citing his role in spreading vaccine misinformation that contributed to the South Carolina measles outbreak.

Campaign Platform

Healthcare
Address Healthcare Crisis
Focus on children's healthcare, prescription drug affordability, and access to mental health resources. Combat health misinformation and vaccine hesitancy that contributed to the measles outbreak.
Economy
Economic Opportunity for Families
Address food insecurity, housing instability, mold in low-income housing, and economic barriers facing South Carolina families, particularly those with children.
Justice
End Government Corruption
Replace 'corrupt career politicians' with fresh leadership; challenge special interest influence in government; reduce influence of billionaires and corporate donors on Senate votes.
Other
Protect Social Safety Net
Oppose attempts by the Trump administration to cut Social Security, Medicare, and veterans benefits. Defend social programs that support vulnerable populations.
Reform Campaign Finance
Work to reduce the influence of money in politics and corporate influence over elected officials' votes.

Key Issue Positions

Public Health and Vaccination

Strong supporter of vaccination and combating health misinformation

The South Carolina measles outbreak (120+ cases by December 2025) became the centerpiece of her campaign. Andrews has explicitly blamed RFK Jr. and his anti-vaccine disinformation for the outbreak. She made public service announcements about the disease and positioned herself as a credible medical voice against misinformation.

Voting History: As a pediatrician, not a voting record, but her professional practice demonstrates commitment to evidence-based medicine and child health

Healthcare Access and Affordability

Universal healthcare advocate; focus on children and vulnerable populations

Wants to address prescription drug costs, mental health access, and healthcare for uninsured South Carolinians. Points to examples from her work: children with food insecurity, asthma worsened by mold in substandard housing, lack of mental health resources.

Graham's 22-Year Record

Graham has failed to improve South Carolina and has become more corrupt over time

Andrews argues Graham has been in office for 22 years (half of her lifetime) with little to show for it. She points to his changing positions on nearly every issue and his focus on pleasing Trump and donors rather than serving constituents.

Voting History: Not applicable as challenger; her critique centers on Graham's voting record and priorities

Voting Record

Andrews is not a sitting legislator, so she has no voting record. Her campaign is built on her professional expertise as a pediatrician and her previous 2022 House campaign experience.

Social Media Activity

Andrews' social media maintains a professional tone rooted in medical expertise but combines it with sharp political criticism of Graham. Her campaign video was notably aggressive and unconventional, using strong language and visual expressions of frustration. Overall, her tone balances credible expert voice with populist anti-establishment messaging.

Instagram/Social Media2025-12-01

Public service announcements about South Carolina measles outbreak; clinical explanation of the disease and importance of vaccination

Positioned Andrews as a credible expert voice during the health crisis and directly blamed misinformation for the outbreak

View post →
Campaign Video2025-05-29

Launch video where Andrews called Graham 'completely and unequivocally full of' expletive while banging her head on table in frustration over his position changes and Cabinet confirmations

Aggressive opening campaign message establishing Andrews as an unconventional, direct challenger willing to speak bluntly about Graham

Recurring Themes
Healthcare expertise and credibilityChildren's health and wellbeingMedical misinformation and vaccine hesitancyPersonal stories from her pediatric practiceFrustration with Washington corruptionGraham's hypocrisy and inconsistent positionsSupport for working families and vulnerable populations

Contradictions

Claim: Andrews emphasizes her deep roots in South Carolina and commitment to the state
Reality: She splits time between Charleston and Washington, D.C., commuting for her hospital job, which could raise questions about full-time commitment to representing the state
Source: 19th News article describing her commute between Charleston and D.C.
Claim: Andrews criticizes Graham for not doing enough for South Carolina
Reality: She had not planned to run again after losing her 2022 House race until RFK Jr. was confirmed as health secretary, suggesting her entry into the 2026 race was reactive rather than based on deep grievances about Graham's record
Source: 19th News article quoting Andrews on her decision to run

What Opponents Say

Lindsey Graham campaign

Andrews pushes a 'radical liberal agenda that is out of touch with South Carolina' and wants to cut taxes, secure borders, protect life, defend the Second Amendment, and confirm conservative judges

Graham's campaign has framed Andrews as extreme and ideologically misaligned with South Carolina's conservative voters

Major Donors & PACs

Small-dollar online donationsSmall Donor
Andrews has built a strong grassroots fundraising operation and reportedly outraised the incumbent in two recent quarters, though Graham maintains more cash-on-hand overall
Outraised Graham in Q3 and Q4 2025
314 ActionOrganization
Group dedicated to recruiting and supporting doctors and health professionals in politics has recruited Andrews and supported her candidacy
Support and endorsement
Impact Research (polling/strategic support)Organization
Democratic-aligned firm that has produced favorable polling and strategic analysis for Andrews
Campaign research and polling support

Endorsements

314 ActionorganizationDemocratic group dedicated to electing health professionals; endorsed and recruited Andrews for the race
Democratic Party of South CarolinaorganizationState party has supported Andrews as their general election nominee

Sources

  1. 19th News - Annie Andrews Measles Campaign Feature
  2. Newsweek - Annie Andrews vs Lindsey Graham
  3. South Carolina Public Radio - Annie Andrews Announcement
  4. Post and Courier - Annie Andrews Senate Bid
  5. Annie Andrews Campaign Website