South Carolina senator could gain clout in Senate with Republican win
Lindsey Graham could have much more influence on issues such as military spending and foreign aid as he potentially enters his third term in the U.S. Senate if the GOP takes control of the body, The State reported.
"Graham is in a good position to benefit if the Senate flips," said Furman University political science professor Danielle Vinson.
Graham said he expects that, if elected, a Republican majority would give him chairmanship of two or more subcommittees, which he called "a big deal."
According to political experts, Graham would be a key participant in a Republican-controlled Congress, as it works with an executive branch controlled by the Democratic Party.
South Carolina House of Representatives features rematch after two years
One prominent matchup in the South Carolina House of Representatives is the rematch between incumbent Republican Kirkman Finlay III and Democrat Joe McCullough of House District 75, The State reported.
When the two competed against each other in 2012, it took two days for the winner to be announced. McCullough has called Finlay unethical, while Finlay has said that McCullough is nothing but a trial lawyer-lobbyist.
Democrats are looking to gain four or five seats in the House throughout the state. This change would still leave the GOP in control of the body, but a trend in wins of this kind could make the composition more equal.
Sheheen hopes for upset against Republican incumbent Haley
Although Republican incumbent Nikki Haley is favored in the gubernatorial election, Democrats are still hoping for an upset, The State reported.
Vincent Sheheen, a state senator from the Democratic Party, lost narrowly to Haley four years ago. This year, Democrats have reached out to supporters of President Barack Obama who didn't turn out to vote during the last South Carolina gubernatorial election.
Sheheen said that the state party and his campaign are working together more than they did last election.
There has not been a Democratic governor since 1998, and a representative of the Democratic Party has not held a statewide office since Jim Rex was elected state schools chief in 2006.