What Happened?

South Carolina TV viewers are seeing a wave of health care ads aimed at Sen. Darline Graham, and one group that didn’t exist until April has now spent nearly $2.5 million in the race. Fresh Start SC PAC, a super PAC that can raise and spend unlimited money but can’t coordinate with campaigns, reported $2,497,288.67 in spending on the race as of Wednesday, Oct. 14, according to a Legis1 review of its spending reports. About $1.63 million went to opposing Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC), and about $871,000 went to supporting her Democratic opponent, pediatrician Annie Andrews. ​

Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham in July after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died. She then beat Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) in an Aug. 25 runoff for the Republican nomination, and the Nov. 3 winner will hold the seat for a full six-year term.

Why Does It Matter To Me?

The group’s first ad, launched Sept. 17, told viewers Graham “supports a plan to make healthcare harder” and would “kick millions of Americans off their healthcare,” Semafor reported. Most of the money since then has gone to Waterfront Strategies for ads placed Oct. 7 and 8:

  • TV opposing Graham: about $1.32 million
  • TV supporting Andrews: about $564,000
  • Digital: $300,000 opposing Graham and $300,000 supporting Andrews

The spending is landing in a closer race than South Carolina usually sees. Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved it from Safe to Likely Republican on Tuesday, Oct. 6, matching the Cook Political Report, and an InsiderAdvantage poll taken Sept. 28 and 29 had Graham at 46% and Andrews at 45%, according to Newsweek.

Both Sides, Now

Graham has heavy outside support of her own. Over the full cycle, including the primary, Security Is Strength PAC reported about $3.11 million supporting Graham and $1.89 million opposing Andrews, while American Mission reported about $2.29 million and Palmetto Action about $711,000 supporting her.

The candidates fought over health care in their only debate, on Sunday, Oct. 11, in Columbia. Graham attacked Andrews’ health care record, and Andrews denied that she supports a state-run health care system, Spectrum News reported.

What Happens Next?

Fresh Start SC PAC’s only full financial report so far covers April 29 through June 30 and shows $80,000 from two donors, Susan P. Johnson and Andrew Goffe, according to its Federal Election Commission page. Its next report, covering July 1 through Sept. 30, is due Thursday, Oct. 15, and a pre-election report covering Oct. 1 through 14 is due Thursday, Oct. 22, under the FEC’s October filing schedule.

The group is also still adjusting its ad plans. On Oct. 13 and 14, it filed six changes to existing TV reservations in the Charlotte and Greenville markets, some increasing buys and some cutting them, ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election.

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