COLUMBIA, S.C. — Appointed Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews traded bitter attacks Sunday night in their only scheduled general election debate, highlighting the high stakes of a suddenly competitive race for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina.
The one-hour broadcast, hosted in Columbia by South Carolina ETV, came exactly three months after the death of Graham’s brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham, at age 71. Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener also participated, ensuring that South Carolina voters will elect their first female U.S. senator regardless of the outcome in November, ABC News reported.
Clashing over credentials and experience
Throughout the debate, Andrews, a pediatrician who has never held public office, repeatedly questioned whether the incumbent was prepared to serve a full six-year term. The Democrat pointed to Graham’s admission during an August primary debate that national security was not her specialty.
Andrews likened the situation to medicine, arguing that patients would never allow a surgeon to perform an operation after confessing an unfamiliarity with the procedure. “So why would we hand Darline Graham a full term in the U.S. Senate? She is unserious and unqualified,” Andrews said, according to NBC News.
Graham, who led a state agency before being appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster at President Donald Trump’s urging, defended her honesty and countered that she is just as qualified as her opponent. Graham fired back that Andrews was deceiving the public about her record and sought to brand the Democrat as an extreme liberal aligned with democratic socialists, NBC News reported.
The candidates also tangled over personal identity. After Andrews noted that Graham had previously used her married name, Graham explained that she maintained her maiden name legally to honor her late parents, who died when she was young.
Foreign policy, energy and artificial intelligence
Policy disagreements surfaced over national defense and technology. Andrews criticized Graham for voting repeatedly against measures to curtail Trump’s military campaign against Iran, asserting that the conflict has driven fuel and consumer prices to painful highs. Graham defended her stance by arguing for “peace through strength,” telling viewers that halting operations prematurely would risk national security while adversaries remain dangerous, according to CNN.
The debate also turned to technology infrastructure, specifically the rapid development of data centers required for artificial intelligence. Andrews called for a two-year freeze on new facilities along with measures to keep utility rates from rising for consumers, NBC News reported. Graham rejected that approach, warning that pausing expansion would surrender global technological leadership to China and harm the American economy.
A tightening race draws national focus
South Carolina has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998, but recent polling showing a narrow contest has prompted national Republicans to step in with significant resources. The Senate Leadership Fund has pledged $5 million to support Graham’s campaign in the final stretch, MS NOW reported.
With early in-person voting scheduled to start on Oct. 19, both campaigns are working to sway undecided voters in the three weeks remaining before the general election, while party leaders watch closely to see if the Palmetto State seat could affect control of the Senate chamber.
