South Carolina Senate toss-up

News · Heat 6.6 / 10 · 2 shows · 2m airtime

Cook Political Report moved the South Carolina Senate race to toss-up on October 30, 2026, days before the vote. Fox News power rankings followed a day later, putting the seat held by Darlene Graham in toss-up territory as well. The discussion notes Lindsey Graham won the state by 10 points in 2020 and Trump carried it by almost 18 in 2024, and recalls Jamie Harrison raising over $100 million in an earlier Senate bid. The tightening is read as a sign of the national atmosphere; no reporting has established what is driving the shift beyond that, and the outcome remains open.

How 2 podcasts covered it

1. Ruthless Podcast, 2026-10-30 (19:27 to 20:44)
   Cites Cook's toss-up rating for South Carolina
   Turns to South Carolina as the second half of a tale of two Carolinas: Graham's 10-point 2020 win and Trump's 18-point 2024 margin against a race Cook just moved to toss-up. Recalls Harrison's $100 million haul as the cautionary precedent.
   New angle: Cook Political Report moved the South Carolina Senate race to toss-up.
2. The Fox News Rundown, 2026-10-31 (2:51 to 3:51)
   Cross-checks the Fox News power rankings
   Runs through the Fox News power rankings in the closing week: South Carolina to toss-up, Ohio to lean Democrat, Georgia held lean blue. Reads out Ossoff's attack lines on Collins over war votes, tariffs, premiums, Medicaid and an ethics probe.
   New angle: Fox News power rankings moved the South Carolina seat held by Darlene Graham into toss-up territory.