Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is projected to have won South Carolina's Senate seat, holding off a serious challenge from Democrat Jaime Harrison in a race that drew national attention.

Things had looked encouraging for Graham early Tuesday evening. At 7:57 p.m. ET, the New York Times projected that President Donald Trump was the winner of South Carolina.

Harrison was considered a strong challenger in the race due to a record-shattering $57 million in fundraising in the third quarter. Harrison was hoping for more of a turnout from Black voters.

Graham and Harrison fought a close race, with polls frequently showing both candidates tied or within the margin of error.

Graham has served as South Carolina's senator since 2003. Originally known for his moderate views on issues such as climate change and immigration, he later became a staunch Trump ally. Graham defended Trump during his impeachment earlier this year, and was an ardent supporter of controversial Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Graham has frequently touted his support for Trump.

Harrison was looking to become the second African American to represent South Carolina and the first Democrat in decades. He is currently associate chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and served as the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party from May 2013 to April 2017.

A native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Harrison had played up his working-class roots and portrayed Graham as being out-of-touch with the state. Graham had sought to paint Harrison as too liberal for South Carolina.

While Harrison was well funded, Graham frequently called for campaign donations from viewers during appearances on Fox News.

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