Thread by @MegKinnardAP

Though polls had shown a close race, local observers urged caution, citing the state’s history of electing statewide Republicans by wide margins.

When the votes were counted, @LindseyGrahamSC had won by 11 percentage points.

My retrospect of #SCSen.

apnews.com/article/senate…

In his candidacy’s nascence, @HarrisonJaime told me he imagined it'd take $10M to oust Graham. In the end, he raised more than 10 times that, becoming the first Senate candidate ever to cross the $100M threshold.

In all, he brought in a total of $130M, according to his campaign.

Analyzing the spending Wednesday, @SCGOP Chairman @DrewMcKissick told me that, given Graham’s decisive win, coupled with a red wave that swept through races across the state, he imagined out-of-state Democrats would feel hard-pressed to hone in on South Carolina, anytime soon.

“I don’t think they’re going to be able to find people stupid enough to invest $120 million and try it again,” McKissick said. If they want to come, invest more money in South Carolina and try the barbecue and then leave? Fine.”