Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
South Carolina Senate candidates clash in only scheduled debate
Republican Sen.
Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews faced off in a debate for South Carolina’s US Senate seat.
Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener also took part.
It is the only debate currently scheduled in a race that has become unexpectedly competitive for a state that usually leans Republican.
Graham was appointed to the seat after the death of former Sen.
Lindsey Graham, her brother.
Andrews criticized her as unqualified, while Graham repeatedly attacked Andrews’ political positions and ties to the left.
Graham avoided repeating a previous debate stumble, when she said national security was not her strong point, though she still had some awkward moments.
The national Republican Party recently spent $5 million to support Graham’s campaign, and the debate underscored the contest’s stakes ahead of the midterm election.
Republican Sen. Darline Graham, Democrat Annie Andrews and Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener debated Sunday night in South Carolina.
It was the only debate currently scheduled in the competitive Senate race.
Graham and Andrews repeatedly attacked each other during the debate.
Andrews portrayed Graham as an insider-backed, unqualified candidate, while Graham accused Andrews of being a radical liberal.
Graham avoided repeating a widely criticized moment from an earlier debate, when she said national security was not her thing.
- Who
- Appointed Republican Sen. Darline Graham, Democrat Annie Andrews and Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener.
- What
- They took part in the only debate currently scheduled in the South Carolina Senate race.
- When
- Sunday night; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- South Carolina. The debate venue is not stated.
- Why
- The candidates debated in a Senate race that had become competitive late in the 2026 midterm elections.
Darline Graham
Annie Andrews
Candidate qualifications
Darline Graham
Graham accused Andrews of being dishonest and changing her positions.
Annie Andrews
Andrews called Graham unserious and unqualified.
Political views
Darline Graham
Graham portrayed Andrews as a radical liberal and criticized her positions and affiliations.
Annie Andrews
Andrews argued that Graham was the choice of political insiders and denied supporting government-run health care.
So why would we hand Darline Graham a full term in the US Senate? She is unserious and unqualified.
At least I’m honest. If I don’t know something, I am glad to say it, and I’ll say it again tonight.
If your surgeon said that appendectomies aren’t really his thing, would you still hand him a scalpel? No,
Graham said she did not know much about US foreign policy interests in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The national GOP spent $5 million to support Graham’s campaign.
Graham, Andrews and Whitener took part in the only debate currently scheduled in the race.
- Candidates
- Darline Graham, Annie Andrews and Kasie Whitener
- Debate schedule
- The only debate currently scheduled in the race
- National GOP spending
- $5 million to support Graham’s campaign
- South Carolina population
- Less than 6 million, according to the article
Sources
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