Pediatrician Annie Andrews and Physician Abdul El-Sayed Become the First Democratic Doctors in the Senate Since 1969

Pediatrician Annie Andrews and Physician Abdul El-Sayed Become the First Democratic Doctors in the Senate Since 1969

Pediatrician Annie Andrews of South Carolina and physician Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan won U.S. Senate seats on Nov. 3, making them the first Democrats with medical degrees to serve in the Senate since 1969, STAT reported. Both campaigned heavily on health care and will join a Democratic Senate majority in January.

Andrews defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster after the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, in July. El-Sayed, a former Detroit health director, defeated Republican Mike Rogers in the race for an open seat.

For families, the arrival of two doctors does not change coverage overnight. It may shape which health questions get attention in hearings and bills, from vaccine policy to the cost of insurance, when the new Congress begins Jan. 3, 2027.

A Pediatrician Focused on Vaccines and Costs

Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician, has said she spent more than 15 years caring for South Carolina children, WBTV reported. She was the Democratic nominee for a U.S. House seat in 2022 but lost that race.

Andrews calls healt...