South Carolina Senate Candidates Clash on Key Issues in Debate

WHO:

CNN - Republican Sen. Darline Graham, Democrat Annie Andrews, Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener participated in the debate.

NBC News - Darline Graham was appointed to fill her brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after his death.

NBC News - Annie Andrews is a pediatrician and a candidate for the Senate.

WHAT:

CNN - The debate was contentious, with Graham and Andrews attacking each other on various issues.

CNN - Graham referred to Andrews as the "most radical liberal that’s ever run for state office in South Carolina."

NBC News - The top Senate Republican super PAC pledged to spend $5 million to support Graham's campaign.

NBC News - Graham acknowledged that gas prices are high and expressed support for suspending the gas tax.

NBC News - Andrews criticized Graham for voting against a war powers resolution to restrict Trump’s war with Iran.

WHERE:

CNN - The debate took place in South Carolina.

NBC News - The debate was hosted in Columbia by South Carolina ETV.

WHEN:

NBC News - The debate occurred exactly three months after Lindsey Graham's death at age 71.

WHY:

CNN - Andrews aimed to portray Graham as the choice of political insiders and not a serious candidate.

NBC News - Andrews claimed that high gas prices were a direct result of Graham's votes related to the Iran war.

HOW:

CNN - Graham attempted to counter Andrews' attacks by emphasizing her honesty and experience.

NBC News - Andrews proposed a two-year moratorium on data center construction to protect local control and prevent rate increases.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 03:14 UTC)

In a heated debate held in Columbia, South Carolina, Republican Senator Darline Graham, Democrat Annie Andrews, and Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener clashed on various issues, with Graham labeling Andrews as the "most radical liberal that’s ever run for state office in South Carolina." The debate came just three months after Lindsey Graham's death, and it featured significant moments such as Graham acknowledging high gas prices and supporting a suspension of the gas tax, while Andrews criticized him for his votes on war powers related to Trump's actions in Iran. Additionally, Andrews proposed a two-year moratorium on data center construction to protect local control, as the top Senate Republican super PAC pledged $5 million to back Graham's campaign.