Graham and Andrews Clash Over Iran, AI, and Social Security in South Carolina Senate Debate
In their only scheduled general election matchup, Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews met Sunday in Columbia for a South Carolina Senate debate that ranged across Iran, artificial intelligence, Social Security, and the cost of fuel. The contest has tightened in its closing stretch, and Democrats now see a plausible path to a seat in a heavily Republican state.
Whoever prevails will become the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina. Graham was appointed to the seat after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died in July 2026 at 71. The winner will serve a full six-year term.
A seat shaped by loss and a tightening race
Graham, a former state agency head, framed her candidacy around continuity and support for President Donald Trump. A Senate Republican super PAC has pledged $5 million to her campaign. Andrews, a pediatrician, cast Graham as inexperienced and too closely aligned with the White House, describing her as the president’s ambassador to South Carolina. Graham returned the attack, calling Andrews the most radical liberal in the state and warning she would join socialists rather than stand up to them.
Andrews rejected the socialist label and said she would stand up to her own party when needed, putting South Carolina first. She also emphasized support for the Second Amendment and a secure border, including deportation of immigrants who break the law. Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener also took part in the debate, hosted by South Carolina ETV.
Iran, gas prices, and national security credentials
Andrews tied record-high gasoline and diesel prices to the Iran war and blamed Graham’s three votes against a war powers resolution. She also said Graham had admitted national security is not her strength. Graham, who said she wants the war to end, defended her approach as peace through strength and said she is honest about what she does not know. She supports suspending the gas tax and easing drilling regulations, and said she has lived paycheck to paycheck and understands the pain at the pump.
AI data centers and energy costs
Data centers and artificial intelligence have become major midterm issues in South Carolina. Andrews proposed a two-year moratorium on new data centers and said local communities should have control, alongside rate protections for consumers. Graham, who voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act, said a moratorium would let China win the AI race and called the idea dangerous to national security. She wants local communities to decide where data centers go. Andrews nicknamed her opponent Data Center Darline.
Social Security and the tax law
On Social Security, Andrews said she would raise contribution caps rather than the retirement age and accused Republicans of wanting to privatize the program. Graham credited Social Security with helping her after her parents died young and defended Trump’s tax and spending law, saying it lowered taxes on tips and Social Security. She also accused Andrews of deceiving South Carolina about the law. Andrews countered that Graham had flip-flopped and misled voters.
With the race close and the possibility of another debate unclear, the Columbia meeting may be the only direct comparison voters get before the general election.
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