Democrats Score Major Senate Wins as Lindsey Graham’s Sister Loses in South Carolina

As polls closed across the United States, supporters of Republican and Democratic candidates gathered at election-night watch parties. Some celebrations were considerably more subdued than others, Dylan Stableford reported for Yahoo News.

Democrats celebrated Senate victories in Georgia and South Carolina, while Republican Byron Donalds wins Florida’s gubernatorial race. [Photo: Dr. Annie Andrews]

At a watch party in Georgia, supporters of Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff erupted in celebration after he was projected to win reelection to the U.S. Senate. Ossoff defeated Republican Rep. Mike Collins, securing a second term and retaining a key Democratic seat.

In Columbia, South Carolina, the mood was markedly different at an election-night gathering for Republican Sen. Darline Graham.

Early returns showed her trailing Democratic challenger Annie Andrews, who went on to win the race.

Andrews secured 50.6% of the vote, compared with Graham’s 47.2%, according to results reported by The Associated Press (AP).

Graham had been appointed to fill the Senate seat left vacant after the death of her brother, former Sen. Lindsey Graham. She subsequently won the Republican nomination to seek a full term but lost to Andrews in the general election.

Republicans, however, had reason to celebrate in Hollywood, Florida, where Rep. Byron Donalds marked his victory in the state’s gubernatorial election.

Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly, becoming Florida’s first Black governor.

Donalds pledged to lead the state according to what he called “common sense, conservative principles.”

“Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we work,” he said in his victory speech. “And over the next four years, we're gonna take Florida to a whole new level,” Mike Bebernes reported for Yahoo News.