NewsNation correspondent Joe Khalil posted a text he received from a Republican member of Congress on Thursday painting a grim picture of the party’s chances in South Carolina.

Khalil posted the screenshot on X/Twitter. In the tweet, he called the congressman’s words a “brutal assessment” on the “party’s own prospects” in South Carolina Senate’s race. The messages read:

Republicans won this seat by 18 points. The fact it’s this close and the speaker has to come to SC 1 to drag the R across the finish line is embarrassing. —-ing embarrassing it’s so close.

Darline race is probably dragging this race down also.

Seat might flip.

Darline is dragging Rs down the ticket. The only saving grace is that the governors race is where it should be.

YIKES 👀

Just got this absolutely BRUTAL assessment from a sitting Republican member of Congress about their party’s own prospects, particularly in South Carolina as both President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson are making campaign stops there this late in the game. pic.twitter.com/UBaxSlfMuZ

— Joe Khalil (@JoeKhalilTV) October 29, 2026

Shortly after the sudden death of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, Darline Graham — his sister — was chosen to run for the seat in his place. Despite the state historically being deep red, the most recent polling revealed that the Darline was “effectively tied” with Democratic candidate Annie Andrews. South Carolina is one of multiple Republican strongholds that Democrats have a legitimate chance of flipping in next week’s midterm elections.

The race has become so uncomfortably close for Republicans that Trump headlined a rally Thursday to drum up support.

Austin Ahmad, Jr., Mediaite