South Carolina – A new statewide poll suggests that U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham is entering a challenging political moment, with a majority of would-be voters expressing an unfavorable view of the longtime South Carolina Republican.
The survey results surfaced at the same time Graham became the focus of intense online backlash after controversial remarks about the escalating conflict involving Iran and the United States’ alliance with Israel.
According to the poll conducted by Impact Research, 61 percent of voters view Graham unfavorably, while 34 percent hold a favorable opinion of the senator.
The survey also found that 57 percent of respondents say they are looking to vote for someone else in the next election. Only 32 percent indicated they would definitely or probably support Graham for re-election.
The poll surveyed 700 likely voters in South Carolina between Feb. 25 and March 1 using live phone calls and text-to-web responses. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
The findings point to a tightening political environment for the veteran lawmaker as the 2026 election approaches. Democratic challenger Dr. Annie Andrews said the results reflect growing frustration among voters who want a new direction in Washington.
“Senator Graham is in serious political trouble, and this poll confirms what South Carolinians already know — they’re ready for change,” said Dr. Annie Andrews to ABC NEWS 4.
“I’m running because working families in this state deserve a senator who fights for them, not one who’s spent decades in Washington collecting corporate checks and enriching himself while kids can’t afford to see a doctor. This race is winnable, and we’re going to win it.”
Despite the unfavorable ratings, the poll shows Graham maintaining a narrow advantage in a hypothetical matchup with Andrews.
In the initial scenario, Graham leads 47 percent to 42 percent among would-be voters. However, once respondents are provided with more information about each candidate’s positions, that margin shrinks to just two points, with Graham at 46 percent and Andrews at 44 percent. A portion of voters in both scenarios remained undecided.
Among independent voters, the numbers appear even more challenging for the incumbent. According to the survey, Graham trails Andrews by 19 points within that group.
The poll’s release comes as Graham has also been at the center of a separate controversy sparked by comments he made recently during a televised interview.
Appearing on Fox News with host Sean Hannity, the senator discussed rising tensions involving Iran while emphasizing strong support for Israel.
During the conversation, Graham defended Israel as one of the United States’ closest allies and voiced support for President Donald Trump’s call for military action against Iran. The discussion also included criticism of Spain after it declined to allow the United States to use Spanish air bases for potential military operations.
At one point in the interview, Graham made a remark that quickly drew widespread attention online.
“We should move all our stuff to Israel,” he said during the broadcast.
The clip spread rapidly across social media platforms, where critics and commentators debated the meaning and implications of the statement. Some argued the remark reflected a willingness to deepen U.S. involvement in the conflict, while others defended it as an expression of strong support for Israel.
Media personality Megyn Kelly was among the most visible critics of the comments. During a broadcast discussing the interview, Kelly accused Graham of using reckless language at a time of growing instability in the Middle East.
“The United States has a growing internal threat that must be dealt with, and his name is Senator Lindsey Graham,” Kelly said while criticizing the senator’s stance.
As the reaction intensified online, the discussion expanded into a broader debate about American foreign policy and Washington’s role in the Middle East. By Thursday, Graham appeared to adopt a more measured tone when speaking with reporters.
He said he did not believe U.S. ground troops would be necessary in Iran and suggested the conflict could continue for several weeks before a clearer assessment is made.
While the political debate surrounding his comments continues, the new polling numbers illustrate the complex landscape Graham faces heading into the next election cycle. For a senator who has long been one of South Carolina’s most prominent political figures, the coming months may reveal whether voter sentiment and the national debate over foreign policy will reshape the race ahead.
