Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is facing an increasingly tough race to keep his seat against Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison and the race has now been moved from “lean Republican” to a “toss-up” by the influential Cook Political Report.
Cook Political announced the change in the state of the race on Thursday, citing fundraising and spending figures in favor of Harrison. Harrison has spent or reserved $60.3 million on TV and digital ads, compared to only $20.6 million from Graham.
Harrison celebrated the new rating on Twitter, writing, “This race wasn’t supposed to be close. But y’all believed in our vision of a South Carolina that works for ALL of us, no matter what neighborhood we live in or what we look like. Today, [Cook Political Report] ranked this race as a TOSS UP. It’s anybody’s race to win. Let’s win it.”
This race wasn't supposed to be close.
— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@harrisonjaime) October 7, 2020
But y'all believed in our vision of a South Carolina that works for ALL of us, no matter what neighborhood we live in or what we look like.
Today, @CookPolitical ranked this race as a TOSS UP. It's anybody's race to win. Let's win it. pic.twitter.com/WKsH6MRfja
Harrison and Graham had their first debate in the first week of October and Harrison made headlines before he even spoke by bringing a full plexiglass cover on the stage to put an extra barrier between himself and Graham.
In the debate, Harrison accused Graham of hypocrisy for saying that no Supreme Court nominee should be appointed during an election year.
Harrison said, “Senator, how good is your word when you made a promise to the American people — even more, you made a promise to the folks in South Carolina — that you wouldn’t be doing what you’re doing right now.”
.@harrisonjaime seamlessly calling out Lindsey Graham for his hypocrisy on the SCOTUS appointments during an election year. Graham looks frustrated and angry during this debate. #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/FwkY1ebZBe
— Maya Contreras (@mayatcontreras) October 4, 2020
After the debate, Graham seemed upbeat, saying, “People in South Carolina are not going to sign up for this radical agenda. The liberals are trying to take me out, $100 million is coming in to beat me.”
Graham’s race is one of a number of pivotal Senate races that could flip control of the upper chamber to Democrats. Republicans are also fighting tough races in Arizona, Colorado and Maine. Meanwhile, Democrats are fighting to hold onto a seat in Alabama.
