Former SC Governors Beasley and Hodges Jointly Endorse Andrews

In a rare bipartisan move ahead of the South Carolina U.S. Senate election, former Republican Governor David Beasley and former Democratic Governor Jim Hodges have jointly endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews. The endorsement signals a significant shift in a race that has become unexpectedly competitive in the reliably red state.

Andrews, a pediatrician, is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham and a Trump-endorsed candidate. While recent polling indicates Graham still holds a lead, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has upgraded the race from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican,” reflecting growing momentum for the Democrat.

Beasley and Hodges, who previously defeated each other in the governor’s race nearly three decades ago, cited national division as their motivation. In a joint video statement, they argued that Andrews offers leadership focused on improvement rather than anger. Beasley, who switched parties after losing his re-election bid to Hodges, recently criticized the current Republican Party under Donald Trump, describing its rhetoric as “toxic” and lacking compassion. He stated, “This country is too divided... That’s why we’re coming together to support Annie Andrews.”

This cross-party support mirrors trends in other battleground states. In Kansas, two former Republican governors endorsed Democrat Adam Hamilton against Republican Roger Marshall. Similarly, in Texas, Democratic nominee James Talarico has received endorsements from over 20 Republican leaders and members of the Bush family. These instances highlight a broader pattern of prominent Republicans breaking ranks to support Democratic candidates in key midterms across Georgia, Montana, Florida, Virginia, Illinois, and South Dakota.

Despite the high-profile endorsements, Graham remains the favorite according to most polls. However, the unified front from two former governors underscores the intensity of the contest and the willingness of local political figures to prioritize perceived competence over party loyalty.