<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Incumbent Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) intensified her criticism of Democratic challenger Annie Andrews during the South Carolina Senate debate on October 12, 2026.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Graham characterized Andrews as “the most radical liberal who has ever run for state office in South Carolina” and claimed she supports progressive policies such as Medicare for All and open borders. Graham also stated that Andrews is “a pediatrician who can’t define what a woman is.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Andrews rejected these characterizations and directed her own criticisms towards Graham, referring to her as an establishment figure who does not challenge President Donald Trump’s unpopular policies, particularly regarding the conflict in Iran and high domestic gas prices. Andrews labeled Graham as “the White House’s ambassador to South Carolina.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Graham rebuked Andrews for suggesting that she changed her last name following her brother’s death. Graham maintained that her legal name “had always been Graham” and that she had never used her husband’s name, Nordone, on legal documents, according to the Associated Press.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I told you my opponent was going to call me a socialist, and there she’s done it again,” Andrews said. “She’s been told to come out here and call me Bernie, Ocasio, Mamdani — that’s what’s in her script. But the truth is, my name is Annie Andrews, and there shouldn’t be any confusion about that because, unlike my opponent, I haven’t changed my name recently.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“My legal name is Graham, it has always been Graham,” the Republican candidate responded. “Thank you for bringing up a horrible memory for me.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The candidates also discussed topics such as artificial intelligence, data center construction, the nation’s debt problem, and Social Security. Graham noted that this election cycle is the first time South Carolina will elect a woman to the Senate, and the debate occurred exactly three months after her late brother’s death. Libertarian Kasie Whitener participated as the third candidate.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“My opponent has flip-flopped on almost every issue during this campaign to try and hide her extreme, radical, & progressive record from South Carolinians,” Graham stated in a social media post following the debate. Trump, who was a close ally of Graham’s late brother, endorsed her after she assumed his position.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sunday’s debate was significant as it is the only general election debate currently scheduled. Early voting in South Carolina begins on October 19.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite Trump winning South Carolina in the 2024 presidential election by nearly 18 percentage points, Democrats view Graham’s seat as a potential pickup opportunity. Graham faced criticism after a primary debate where she stated that national security “is not my thing” when asked about China and Taiwan, a comment notable due to her late brother’s focus on that issue.</p>