Democratic Senate nominee holds insurance roundtable in Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. — Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, hosted a roundtable Wednesday in Beaufort with homeowners and real estate professionals to discuss rapidly rising homeowners insurance premiums in South Carolina’s coastal communities.

Rising insurance costs

Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who has been a leading voice on the issue in the U.S. Senate, joined Andrews at the event. Andrews said the fight over insurance costs extends to young people who see their future in South Carolina.

Some coastal areas, including Beaufort and Jasper counties, are projected to see homeowners insurance rates rise by more than 200% over the next 10 years, pricing homeowners out of their homes and making first-time homeownership more difficult, according to Andrews’ campaign.

Affordability plan

Lowering housing costs, along with gas, groceries and childcare costs, is part of Andrews’ Affordability Plan, which her campaign says is meant to help South Carolinians facing economic strain.

“This election is about your future and the future of South Carolina,” Andrews said. “You cannot sit on the sidelines. You have to get involved. You have to vote for someone whose views and policy positions align with your views and policy positions.”

Andrews is running against Republican Sen. Darline Graham in the 2026 U.S. Senate election for South Carolina.