Three SC Democrats running for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat. Who has edge?

With just under two months until the South Carolina primaries, one candidate has far outraised the others looking to clinch the Democratic nomination for Lindsey Graham’s U.S. Senate seat.

Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who previously ran for a congressional seat in 2022, raised and spent the most money in the first three months of 2026. Her campaign raised more than $2.1 million in the beginning of 2026, bringing her cash on hand total to $2.6 million.

Andrews told reporters she was not “hand-picked by the Democratic Party to run for office,” and that her authenticity has propelled her campaign forward.

“I think our campaign has caught on because I have an ability to relate to everyday voters, because I talk like a regular person,” Andrews said March 17. “I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.”

Andrews is facing Upstate businessman Brandon Brown and Columbia logistics professional Kyle Freeman on the Democratic primary ballot June 9.

The Democratic candidates are vying for a six-year term to replace the incumbent. Graham, who is running for a fifth term in the U.S. Senate, has the largest war chest and the most high-profile endorsements. He is also facing a slew of Republican challengers headed into the June primaries.

Campaigns for Brown and Freeman say their work reaching out to voters stands up to the millions more Andrews’ has raised. Brown raised $61,078 in the first quarter of 2026 and has $40,709 on hand, according to a campaign finance report filed Wednesday. Freeman raised $309 in the first three months of 2026 and has $1,236 on hand, according to his campaign finance report.

“He’s [Brown] raising the army of people money can’t buy,” said Brandon Upson, a consultant on Brown’s campaign. Upson said the campaign has recruited nearly 1,200 volunteers that have been canvassing around the state. Andrews’ campaign has 1,000 in-state volunteers and 1,800 total, according to a spokesperson for her campaign.

Freeman said he has been trying to connect with residents who don’t typically vote.

“These well-trodden and well-used paths to get to the people that typically turn out to vote have been pretty dominated by Annie Andrews, so I’ve been working on going to the people that don’t listen to those channels, that aren’t tuned in, people that have never heard of Annie Andrews,” Freeman said

Money can help candidates get their message to more voters.

Who has spent the most?

Andrews spent $1.1 million in the first three months of 2026 and more than $3.8 million this election. Andrews spent well over $100,000 on campaign consulting. She also paid her local campaign manager, Breanna Spaulding, and other local staff.

More than $500,000 was paid to Liftoff Campaigns, which helped with consulting and advertising for the candidate.

Brown spent $20,369 in the first quarter of 2026. Brown started his campaign over the summer in 2025, but had no spending until this year, according to his report. The online Federal Election Commission report did not list who donated to Brown, or how he spent money.

Freeman spent $11,051 in Q1 and more than $10,000 paid for the filing fee to appear on the ballot.

Who has endorsed SC Democratic candidates?

Andrews has been endorsed by national advocacy organizations 314 Action, which helps elect scientists, and Emily’s List, which supports women candidates.

She also has the support of Jaime Harrison, the former Democratic National Committee chair. Harrison ran for U.S. Senate against Graham in 2020. State Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, D-Richland, also endorsed Andrews, according to the campaign.

Brown has been endorsed by former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. Brown also held a fundraiser with Jesse Jackson Jr. in Greenville.

“The Jackson family is behind him, and they offer their full support for Brandon,” Upson said.