Annie Andrews defeats Trump-backed Darline Graham in stunning South Carolina upset

In a stunning upset, voters in deep red South Carolina chose Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews as their senator-elect Tuesday, unseating Republican Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and the candidate hand-selected by President Donald Trump.The victory followed a campaign in which transgender rights became a flashpoint: Trump attacked Andrews with an anti-transgender slur, while LGBTQ+ advocates condemned her own rhetoric and positions on transgender issues.It’s the first time since 1998 that South Carolina has elected a Democrat to the Senate, and Andrews is the first woman elected U.S. senator from the Palmetto State.Sen. Darline Graham was appointed to serve in the Senate following the death of her brother, an outspoken opponent of LGBTQ+ rights who faced years of speculation about his sexuality but publicly denied being gay. The president personally encouraged her to run for her brother’s seat, and she defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in the August Republican primary runoff.Trump campaigned for Graham in South Carolina last month, as The Advocate reported, using an anti-transgender slur against Andrews.“Darline’s running against a radical left lunatic named tr***y Annie Andrews,” Trump said at that October rally. A clip showed supporters laughing at the slur and then booing Andrews’ name.Related: Why transgender voters who feel betrayed, disappointed, and hurt are backing Democrats anyway While Andrews, who is cisgender, responded to the president by saying name-calling would not lower gas prices, she also drew criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates for releasing a campaign ad in which she said she opposes gender-affirming surgery for minors and transgender women’s and girls’ participation in women’s and girls’ sports, referring to them as “biological men.”“My career as a pediatrician has always been about taking care of kids, and I’ve got three of my own,” Andrews said to the camera in the 30-second spot. “So, I want you