Graham and Andrews clash over Iran war, gas prices in SC debate
Sen. Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews traded sharp attacks Sunday in their only planned debate for a South Carolina Senate seat. Andrews called Graham "unserious and unqualified," and Graham called Andrews the "most radical liberal" to run in the state. They also split on the Iran war, gas prices and data centers.
Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews clashed Sunday night in the only scheduled debate in South Carolina's Senate race. They fought over gas prices, the Iran war, data centers and President Donald Trump.
Graham was appointed to the seat after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died suddenly in July. The debate in Columbia came exactly three months after his death, NBC News reported. The winner will be the first woman elected to the Senate from South Carolina. Libertarian Kasie Whitener also took part.
Andrews, a pediatrician, cast Graham as a Trump loyalist who will not push back on his policies. She called Graham "the White House's ambassador to South Carolina." She also raised Graham's primary debate remark that national security is "not my thing." "So why would we hand Darline Graham a full term in the U.S. Senate? She is unserious and unqualified," Andrews said.
Graham called Andrews the "most radical liberal" to run in the state and tied her to the left wing of her party. Andrews said she backs the Second Amendment and a secure border. "I will stand up to my own party, and I will always put South Carolina first," she said.
On costs, Graham said "gas prices are high right now" and backed suspending the gas tax. Andrews blamed the Iran war, which she said Graham voted three times to continue. "The war is the exact reason we now have record-high gas and diesel prices," Andrews said.
Andrews wants a two-year pause on new data centers. Graham said that would let China pull ahead in artificial intelligence. "I want communities to decide. She wants the federal government to decide," Graham said.
The race has tightened in a state Trump won by almost 18 points in 2024. The top Senate Republican super PAC has pledged $5 million to help Graham, NBC reported. Early voting starts Oct. 19, the Washington Examiner reported.
What we know: Graham and Andrews traded sharp attacks on the Iran war, prices and data centers in their only scheduled debate.
What we don't: Whether the debate changes a race that has tightened in the final weeks.
Where outlets agree NBC News and CNN both report that Andrews attacked Graham over her earlier remark that national security is "not my thing."
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.