Republican Lindsey Graham Wins Reelection to US Senate in South Carolina

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham has edged a victory over his Democratic challenger Jamie Harrison. 

The Senate race in South Carolina was a big one to watch, partly because it drew so much national attention along with tons of campaign cash with Harrison setting records for Democrat donations.

Graham, who previously served in the US House, was running for his fourth term on the seat he has held since 2003.  

As CBN News reported, Graham started as one of the safest Republican incumbents in a state President Trump won big but found himself in a dead heat to keep his seat.

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The confirmation of US Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, which Graham oversaw, allowed him to maintain high national visibility, but Harrison took it as an opportunity to paint Graham as over-eager in his support of President Trump.

Harrison, an associate chairman of the Democratic National Committee, actually had a slight lead over Graham in the polls before the election. 

Harrison was the first African American chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party in 2013 and was formerly an aide to South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn. He also raised more money last quarter than any Senate candidate in history bringing in $57 million.

Graham raised $28 million and according to his campaign it represented the largest amount ever raised by any Republican Senate candidate in a single quarter, in any state.

Analysts say the race between the two candidates was the most expensive in the state's history at a whopping $200 million. 

Graham's ability to hold on to the seat lessens the Democrats' chances of taking over the Senate.