Incumbent Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Dr. Annie Andrews engaged in a contentious debate Sunday night, trading sharp criticisms in their only scheduled face-to-face meeting ahead of the November 8 general election.
The candidates clashed over qualifications, policy positions, and personal attacks, with Graham framing Andrews as the most progressive candidate in South Carolina history and Andrews accusing Graham of being overly aligned with former President Donald Trump. The debate, held in Columbia, covered multiple issues including the economy, Iran, and artificial intelligence, but devolved into personal exchanges about each candidate’s fitness for office.
Graham’s campaign attacks on Andrews’ policy stances
Graham, who was appointed to serve out the remainder of her late brother’s Senate term, characterized Andrews as “the most radical liberal who has ever run for state office in South Carolina.” She alleged that Andrews supports progressive policies such as Medicare for All and open borders, though Andrews did not directly address these claims during the debate. Graham also criticized Andrews’ medical background, stating, “She’s a pediatrician who can’t define what a woman is,” a reference to ongoing national debates over gender identity and healthcare.
Andrews’ counterattacks and critique of Graham’s Trump ties
Andrews, a pediatrician and former healthcare advocate, accused Graham of being “the White House’s ambassador to South Carolina” due to her close ties to Trump, who endorsed her in the June special primary. Andrews argued that Graham would not stand up to the Democratic Party when necessary, contrasting her own willingness to challenge party leadership. While Graham mentioned her support for Trump during the debate, her tone was less strident than in the primary, reflecting the general election’s broader electorate.
Race tightens ahead of midterms
The Senate race in South Carolina has unexpectedly tightened in recent weeks, with Democrats hoping to retake control of Congress amid low approval ratings for Trump. Graham, who won the June primary with Trump’s endorsement, was initially favored to secure another term. However, outside groups have poured millions of dollars into the race in what has been described as an “insurance policy” for Republican victory. Andrews has sought to leverage Graham’s association with Trump, framing herself as an independent voice willing to oppose party orthodoxy.
Background: A seat vacated by sudden death
The special election follows the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham in July, who was seeking a fifth term. Darline Graham, who had worked in state government but had not previously held elected office, opted to run in the crowded special primary and advanced to a runoff after Trump’s endorsement. The general election will determine who serves the remainder of Lindsey Graham’s current term.
Debate highlights: Policy vs. personality
While the debate covered a range of topics, including foreign policy and technology, much of the exchange focused on personal attacks and qualifications. Graham emphasized her experience in state government and her alignment with Trump, while Andrews highlighted her medical background and commitment to standing up to party leadership. Neither candidate directly addressed the other’s policy proposals in detail, instead using the platform to question the other’s credibility.
Campaign spending and outside influence
Outside groups have spent heavily on behalf of both candidates, with Graham’s campaign benefiting from millions in support described as an “insurance policy” for Republican control. The influx of funds reflects the high stakes of the race, which could influence control of the U.S. Senate in the midterm elections. Both campaigns have framed the debate as a choice between competing visions for South Carolina’s future, though the personal nature of the exchanges overshadowed policy discussions.