Two former South Carolina governors from opposite parties have jointly endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews in the state's U.S. Senate race, in a rare bipartisan show of support as early voting continues ahead of the 3 November midterms.

Former Govs. David Beasley, a Republican, and Jim Hodges, a Democrat, endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews in a campaign video released Monday.

Who Endorsed Her, and Why?

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former South Carolina governors David Beasley and Jim Hodges have endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews in the state's U.S. Senate race, bringing bipartisan support from two former state leaders into a closely contested campaign.

The endorsements appeared in a video released by Andrews' campaign on Monday, Oct. 26. Beasley, a Republican who served as governor from 1995 to 1999, said Andrews understood that leadership should focus on improving people's lives rather than inflaming divisions.

"Annie understands that leadership isn't about making people angrier," Beasley said. "It's about making things better".

Hodges, a Democrat who served from 1999 to 2003 and was South Carolina's most recent Democratic governor, said Andrews was "willing to put people ahead of politics".

Beasley also emphasized that the two former governors came from different parties, but agreed the state deserved an alternative to continued political fighting.

"We may have served as your governor from different political parties. But we agree South Carolina deserves better than more of the same political fighting," Beasley said in the video.

Beasley said the country "is too divided, and the political rhetoric has gotten way, way out of hand," and that Andrews "understands that leadership isn't about making people angrier".

A History Between the Two Governors

The two men were once political rivals, as Hodges unseated Beasley in the 1998 governor's race.

Hodges defeated Beasley in South Carolina's 1998 gubernatorial race. Hodges was the last Democrat to serve as the state's governor.

That history is part of why the joint endorsement stands out: two men who once ran against each other are now campaigning together for the same candidate.

Who Is Andrews Challenging?

Andrews is challenging Republican incumbent Sen. Darline Graham. Libertarian Kasie Whitener and Constitution Party candidate Mark Hackett are also running in the general election.

Andrews is challenging Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to the seat after the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Andrews, a pediatrician, is looking to flip the seat, currently held by Darline Graham, the Trump-endorsed sister of the late senator Lindsey Graham, in what has become an unexpectedly competitive race for the usually reliably red state.

The stinging endorsement is the latest in a string of Republican nods for Andrews, a pediatrician. Her campaign boasted that more than 100 Republicans have joined its "Republicans for Annie" coalition, and that Warren Norman, the son of Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, has said Andrews will be the first Democrat he has ever voted for.

"Whether you voted for Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham, or anyone else, if you care more about lowering your bills than the political games in Washington, this campaign is for you," Andrews said in a statement.

How Close Is the Race?

A Trafalgar Group poll conducted in September found Graham at 43.4% and Andrews at 42.3%, within the margin of error. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race in South Carolina since 1998.

South Carolina's early voting began Oct. 19, according to the state voting information linked in the campaign coverage.

Why It Matters / What Happens Next

A bipartisan endorsement from two former governors does not decide a race, but it gives Andrews a message beyond party lines at a moment when voters are already casting ballots. For Graham, it is a signal that some established Republican figures are willing to break ranks in public.

Watch for: whether other former officials follow, how the Graham campaign responds, and whether the "Republicans for Annie" message moves voters in the final days before 3 November.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who endorsed Annie Andrews? Former South Carolina governors David Beasley, a Republican, and Jim Hodges, a Democrat, in a joint video released on Monday, 26 October.

Who is Annie Andrews challenging? Republican incumbent Sen. Darline Graham, with Libertarian Kasie Whitener and Constitution Party candidate Mark Hackett also running.

Has early voting started in South Carolina? Yes — South Carolina's early voting began on 19 October.