Siena poll finds Darline Graham and Annie Andrews tied in South Carolina as Moody and Flanagan lead

A New York Times and Siena poll of likely voters released Oct. 28 has Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews tied at 48% in South Carolina's Senate race, according to the Siena Research Institute. Siena executive director Don Levy said, "As the battles wage across the map for control of the U.S. Senate, South Carolina now jumps to centerstage," adding that Graham, "recently appointed to the senate, is locked in a toss-up race" and leads by less than one point. In the governor's race, Siena found Republican Alan Wilson ahead of Democrat Jermaine Johnson 51% to 44%.

Two other South Carolina surveys released this week also point to a competitive Senate race. The Citadel Poll of 1,009 registered voters found Graham ahead of Andrews by 4 points, just outside its margin of error, and Wilson leading Johnson 42% to 31% with about one in four voters undecided, the school reported. A Targoz Market Research survey for the South Carolina Policy Council of 895 likely voters had Graham at 47% and Andrews at 46%, USA Today reported. USA Today said Sabato's Crystal Ball moved the race to Lean Republican on Oct. 27 and cited a Reuters analysis finding outside Republican groups had spent $9.7 million since Oct. 1 backing Graham or attacking Andrews. Graham was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster in July after the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, according to USA Today.

The same Siena release covered Florida and Minnesota. In Florida, Republican Sen. Ashley Moody led Democrat Angie Nixon 50% to 44% for Senate and Republican Byron Donalds led Democrat David Jolly 48% to 44% for governor. In Minnesota, Democrat Peggy Flanagan led Republican Michele Tafoya 54% to 40% for Senate and Democrat Amy Klobuchar led Republican Lisa Demuth 56% to 38% for governor, Siena reported.