Two S.C. Governors Back Andrews

Voters in South Carolina will see a rare united front from two former state leaders. David Beasley, a former Republican governor, and Jim Hodges, a former Democrat, jointly endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews in her bid for the U.S. Senate. Both men served in the governor's mansion and now say they prefer Andrews over the incumbent, Darline Graham.

Andrews, a pediatrician, is attempting to take the seat from Graham, who is the sister of the late senator Lindsey Graham and holds the endorsement of President Donald Trump. The race has become more competitive than expected in a state that usually votes Republican. Recent polling shows Graham still leads, but the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has shifted its rating for the state from Likely Republican to Lean Republican.

In a joint video, the former governors expressed frustration with the current political climate. Beasley stated that the country is too divided and that political rhetoric has gotten way, way out of hand. Hodges agreed, noting that they are coming together to support Andrews because she understands that leadership is about making things better rather than making people angrier.

The two men acknowledged that they do not agree on every issue but believe Andrews is the best candidate to put South Carolina first. Beasley noted that despite serving from different political parties, they agree the state deserves better than more of the same political fighting. Hodges added that Andrews is willing to put people ahead of politics.

Beasley, who served as governor from 1995 to 1999 before losing re-election to Hodges, recently criticized the current direction of the Republican Party. In an opinion piece for the Post and Courier, he described the party's current state as heartbreaking. He argued that too many in the party have gone along with winning by tearing others down and pitting communities against one another.

Beasley wrote that he has yet to see President Trump show compassion or respect to those he disagrees with. He called the vitriol toxic and said it is feeding into the hearts, minds, and souls of Americans. He concluded that the party is not the one he knew and is not the one he considers himself a member of.

This move is part of a wider trend in this year's midterms where prominent Republicans are backing Democratic candidates. In Kansas, former Republican governors Bill Graves and Mike Hayden endorsed Democrat Adam Hamilton against incumbent Roger Marshall. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico has received support from more than 20 Republican leaders and members of the Bush family against Ken Paxton. Similar cross-party endorsements have occurred in Georgia, Montana, Florida, Virginia, Illinois, and South Dakota.