Dr. Andrews, Democratic candidate for South Carolina Senate, discusses what she hopes to accomplish if voted in.
By Evi Houston
Managing Editor
News
In the upcoming midterm election, South Carolina is on track to vote in its first elected female senator. Whether this will be Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, first-time politician and pediatrician, Republican Darline Graham, appointed senator and sister to the late Lindsey Graham, or Libertarian Kasie Whitener, writer and Winthrop alumna, is up to voters.
The Johnsonian had the chance to speak with Dr. Andrews about her personal platform and background, with the hopes of better introducing her to the student body and informing students before they turn in their ballot.
Why is it important for college students to participate politically and vote?
“The decisions that are being made in Columbia and in Washington, D.C. will impact your generation and my kids’ generation far more than they will impact me,” Andrews said, stressing the importance of engagement.
Andrews also noted that younger generations have only known an era of U.S. politics dominated by Donald Trump and feelings of hyperpartisanship. These feelings are evident in the uncompromising attitudes of both parties, voters’ strong identification with a particular party and shifts further to the right or left in party platforms, rather than towards the center.
“I don’t blame young people for being disengaged, disaffected and disillusioned by particularly national politics. So I think it’s the job of candidates like me in campaigns to find ways to bring young people into the fold,” Andrews said.
How does your platform affect college students? For example, does it address college debt, employment post-graduation, or DEI policies?
Andrews explained that her plans to improve affordability will directly improve the lives of college students.
“I know that [affordability] impacts college students as much or more than it impacts anyone else,” Andrews said.
Policies that address rising student debt, inflation, interest rates, artificial intelligence and tariffs came to mind. Specifically, both artificial intelligence and tariffs could be limited in order to increase entry level jobs.
“We have to be sure that as AI continues to rise, that we’re doing it smartly so that AI isn’t replacing all of our jobs, but we can educate people to run these systems rather than be replaced by them,” Andrews said.
Andrews recognized the burdens placed on recent college graduates as well, such as unaffordable housing and a difficult job market. She believes that the average age of first time homeowners is much too high.
On DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Andrews said, “Politically motivated agendas should have no place in our places of higher learning.”
Conservative anti-DEI policies which spread at the start of the Trump administration aim to limit college instruction on certain topics, such as gender or class, and eliminate inclusive hiring and admissions policies.
What is your overall stance on the use of AI and data centers that have been growing across the country?
Andrews proposed a two year pause on data center development, referred to as a federal moratorium on data centers.
“That is the only way to help balance the current imbalance of power in these conversations,” Andrews said.
She criticized how rural communities have been taken advantage of by data centers, and noted the close relationship she perceived between her opponent Graham and data center-affiliated corporate donors.
For more information on this alleged relationship, the Andrews campaign has created a website called datacenterdarline.com.
Andrews hopes to see greater transparency about the economic and environmental impact of data centers, such as their exorbitant use of and pollution of ground water. Once a federal regulatory framework is established, then the expansion can continue.
“That doesn’t mean that I’m anti-technology, anti-innovation, or that I want to cede this technology to China,” Andrews said.
On AI as a general tool,Andrews saw it as a useful technology but an existential threat to jobs and to humanity.
What specific policies or goals would you advocate for to improve the SC economy and jobs market?
Andrews sees incentives as a way to stimulate the economy, including tax incentives for first time home buyers.
Another goal includes the end of recent tariffs enacted by President Trump so that small businesses can thrive.
Additionally, “Getting us out of the war [in Iran will] lower the cost of diesel and gas, so that our local small businesses can continue to thrive,” along with farmers.
For a more detailed list of policies, visit drannieandrews.com.
As a Democrat, is it important to you to have Democrats win back Congress in this election? Why?
“I do think that it’s important that Democrats take the House and the Senate this particular election cycle because we need to return Congress to its position and role as checks and balances on the executive branch of government,” Andrews said.
This transfer of power would be beneficial so that Congress may end the war with Iran, pass better policies and reverse tariffs, argued Andrews. She also noted that Democrats are less likely to take corporate and PAC donations.
Andrews’ number one priority in Congress is to work with fellow Democrats to “Stop the impending Medicaid budget cuts, which will be devastating to the healthcare system in South Carolina,” she said.
Still, Andrews considers her possible election a victory for the state of South Carolina, not Democrats, and hopes to reach across the aisle when in Congress.
You are not a native to S.C. How have you made an effort to get in touch with S.C. voters?
Andrews explained that she has worked as a pediatrician in S.C. for 15 years taking care of sick and injured children in the state. She also has young children in the SC public school system.
“I don’t think any job can better prepare you to represent a community than going to work every day at the Children’s Hospital, where you come face to face with the harms from broken policies coming from a failing political system in Washington D.C.,” Andrews said.
Andrews contrasted this commitment to native S.C. politicians who she believes spend most of their time in D.C., serving corporate donors rather than their constituents.
“I’m just so proud to call South Carolina home,” Andrews said.
S.C. politics is dominated by older and largely male leaders. Why is it important to have a younger woman’s perspective as a candidate?
“I think it’s important that we elect women at all levels of government,” Andrews said.
Even though it is inevitable that the next S.C. senator will be a woman, Andrews argued that it matters what kind of female senator you elect.
“It’s not enough to just be a woman. I think you have to be a woman who fights for other women, fights for access to reproductive health care, fights for policies that are good for young families and single moms.”
On her age, Andrews said that it is important to elect parents of school-aged children and hear their perspective.
“People are ready for change, they’re ready for a new generation of leaders,” Andrews said.
No senate candidates were initially contacted by The Johnsonian for this issue; this conversation was possible due to the interest and outreach of the Andrews campaign.
Further, The Johnsonian does not endorse Annie Andrews, or any political candidates, for the upcoming election. No funds were provided to The Johnsonian to write this piece.
Early voting began in S.C. on Oct. 19 and will continue until Election Day on Nov. 3. Classes will not be held on Election Day. Absentee ballots must be requested by Oct. 23 in S.C.
