With Democrats widely expected to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November’s midterm elections — as well as having a clear path to retaking the U.S. Senate — there’s a good argument to be made that as the nation changes, so should South Carolina.
If the House is controlled starting in January by the Democrats, it would be good for the Lowcountry to have a seasoned leader in office — retired Admiral Nancy Lacore — to represent the Charleston area with longtime 6th District Congressman Jim Clyburn. We heartily recommend that voters cast ballots for whichever candidate is on their ballot.
Likewise, if change is the chorus, it makes a lot of sense for South Carolina to tap the knowledge and passion of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Annie Andrews, a doctor whose intimate knowledge of health and affordability issues give her a significant leg up.
Andrews is the best choice for the country on her merits alone. As a pediatrician, she’s well-positioned to push back against President Donald Trump’s continuing assault on American health care, including the more than $1 trillion to Medicaid and Affordable Health Care Act spending cuts that have already pushed tens of thousands of S.C. residents off the state’s health insurance rolls. What’s more, her common-sense approach to issues from affordability and data centers to the war in Iraq would be a welcome counterweight to the many members of S.C.’s federal delegation who seem to have outsourced their independent judgment to Trump.
In fact, the thin, uninformed record of the newcomer incumbent, U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, makes Andrews the best candidate by far. Graham, a surprise replacement for the seat held by her brother Lindsey before his untimely July death, has shown little aptitude for the job in the world’s most exclusive club for democracy. If elected to a full six-year term, she’ll be little more than an automatic vote for Trump, whose corrosive, corrupt behavior of the last two years has people across America demanding change.
Meanwhile over in Congress, Clyburn remains a national leader — a Democratic kingmaker of sorts — who has helped propel the state to having the first Democratic primary in 2028. That kind of leadership over 13 terms in Congress gives him a ticket for a 14th term. The attention that South Carolina will get from Democratic presidential candidates will pay off big in the future by helping our small state to continue to punch above its weight in national issues.
Lacore will be ready to hit the ground running on her first day in the halls of Congress. Her experience as a career Navy officer will give her insights needed to upgrade the military where needed after disastrous cuts and policy pronouncements by the current administration that has ripped the heart, spirit and morale of America’s service members. In addition, her commitment to putting serious Lowcountry needs like housing affordability and conservation at the center of her service would be a much-needed course correction after six years of performative culture war posturing from the district’s current member of Congress.
As the country positions itself to embrace change, let’s be part of the solution — not part of the problem – by electing Andrews, Clyburn and Lacore.
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