DR ANNIE ANDREWS: South Carolina should expect more from their senator

Throughout this race, Ive said it plainly: whether you voted for Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham, or anyone else, if you care more about your bills than Washingtons political games, this campaign is for you.

I mean it. Last week in Aiken, I stood in a room full of Republicans and independents. One man told me hed been a Reagan Republican his whole life and had never voted for a Democrat. He came anyway. He wanted to know if Id actually listen.

Ive been listening for 18 months on the campaign trail, and for 20 years before that in my exam room.

INDEPENDENT VOTERS ARENT PICKING A POLITICAL TEAM, THEY JUST FEEL PICKED ON

I didnt set out to become a politician. Im a pediatrician and a mom of three. Ive cared for children whose parents had to choose between groceries and an inhaler, and Ive taken the 2 a.m. calls from scared moms and dads. Medicine taught me that you show up, you listen, and you make hard decisions under pressure.

Ive traveled to all 46 counties. In Barnwell, I sat on the back of a pickup truck with eighth-generation farmers hurt by tariffs. In Ridgeland, I stood with veterans who have lost friends to suicide and want this war in Iran to end. In Marlboro County, I met a little boy growing up without a hospital because of where he lives. In Myrtle Beach, a 26-year Marine veteran and lifelong Republican came to one of our events after someone encouraged him to attend. Afterward, he told me hed just made his first political donation.

When I ask when they last saw a senator in their hometown, they laugh. They deserve better.

This week, Fox News moved our race to a toss-up. Former Republican Gov. David Beasley endorsed me, and more than 100 South Carolina Republican leaders have joined our campaign. They dont agree with me on everything, but they know Ill put South Carolina ahead of any party or special interest.

My opponent, Darline Graham, has my deepest sympathy for the loss of her brother. But a Senate seat isnt an inheritance. She was handpicked by Washington insiders, and she has admitted shes "not that informed" on national security while our country is at war. South Carolinians deserve a senator whos ready.

Heres my commitment: Ill be an independent voice and a brick wall between South Carolina and Washington, even when my own party gets it wrong. Democrats spend billions without asking whether programs work. Republicans waste billions on endless wars and corporate handouts. Our debt just hit $40 trillion.

My Taxpayer Pledge starts with Congress: ban members from trading stocks, end their taxpayer-funded pensions and stop their pay during shutdowns. Ill oppose tax increases on families making under $500,000, make No Tax on Tips and No Tax on Social Security permanent, and end special tax breaks for data centers.

Ive pledged to serve no more than two terms, because this seat doesnt belong to one family or one party. It belongs to you. If I dont keep my word, fire me in six years.

Im asking South Carolina to hire a senator who will show up, listen and get to work for you.