The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan forecaster, changed three Senate ratings on Tuesday, Oct. 20, two weeks before the Nov. 3 election; ratings are forecasters' judgments, not polls. In South Carolina, Darline Graham (Sen-R South Carolina) leads Democrat Annie Andrews by 2.7 points in the RealClearPolitics average, per the Washington Examiner. She was appointed in July to finish the term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
The three races
- South Carolina, Likely to Lean Republican: Andrews had $2.3 million in cash on hand after the third quarter to Graham's $609,731 (Washington Examiner).
- Mississippi, Solid to Likely Republican: Cindy Hyde-Smith (Sen-R Mississippi) faces Democrat Scott Colom, a district attorney. The October poll Newsweek cites, 52–48 for Hyde-Smith, is from Wedgewood, the pollster FiftyPlusOne says faked data; The Hill says even Democratic pollsters show Hyde-Smith ahead.
- Minnesota, Likely to Lean Democrat: Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces Republican Michele Tafoya.