Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta flagged Sunday what he called an “eerie coincidence” regarding Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who died Saturday night from a sudden and unexpected illness – a coincidence he described as “absolutely jaw-dropping.”
Graham’s office announced Saturday night that the South Carolina Republican had died of a “brief and sudden illness,” and further reporting revealed that he may have suffered from cardiac arrest, though an official cause of death has yet to be released.
Just hours before Graham’s medical incident, however, a viral post had circulated on social media regarding Graham’s Democratic Senate opponent Annie Andrews, a post that appeared to be in reference to a recent poll from Impact Research showing Andrews closing in on Graham in the race.
"In an eerie coincidence, an absolutely jaw-dropping poll circulated in a viral post Saturday morning, just a few hours before Sen. Lindsey Graham passed away Saturday night," Acosta wrote in an analysis published on his Substack Sunday.
“It showed Dr. Annie Andrews polling within the margin of error at 48% for Graham to 45% for Andrews. The poll was taken June 17–22, 2026 among 700 likely voters, with a margin of error of ±3.7%. Yes, it’s an internal poll, but it shows movement in Andrews’ direction since the race began – [Public Policy Polling] had her at 36% in December. And when voters heard more about the candidates, Dr. Andrews took the lead.”
After voters were given “positive intros on both Dr. Andrews and Sen. Graham,” participants’ responses shifted.
“We see Andrews at 46% of the vote, compared to 43% for Graham – a net +6 point uptick with positive intros alone,” Impact Research wrote in its findings. “Andrews widens her lead with Independents after bios (+40 lead), and even captures 13% crossover Republican vote – enough to put her in first position.”
In the case of a Senate vacancy in South Carolina due to “death, resignation or otherwise,” law permits the state’s governor to “fill the place by appointment.” President Donald Trump has already said he has “somebody great” in mind to replace Graham, but whomever South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster chooses, Acosta said it’s now become a “race to watch.”
BREAKING: New polling in South Carolina has Republicans terrified of another Democratic flip opportunity where Dr. Annie Andrews is only 3 points behind Lindsey Graham. This is amazing. pic.twitter.com/oyJn84K23l
— Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) July 11, 2026