Democratic candidate Annie Andrews and Republican incumbent Sen. Darline Graham clashed on Sunday night during a U.S. Senate debate in South Carolina. The confrontation centered on Andrews' willingness to challenge her own party and Graham's insistence on her personal identity. Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener also participated in the event.
Graham accused Andrews of being unable to oppose what she termed "socialist Democrats." The senator referenced the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, claiming that Democrats in New York cheered over the deaths of more than a thousand people. Graham stated that Andrews would simply join that group rather than stand against it.
Andrews rejected the label, arguing that her opponent was following a script to call her a socialist. She cited Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as examples of the types of politicians Graham associates with her. Andrews emphasized that her name is Annie Andrews and noted that she has not recently changed it, unlike her opponent.
The candidate argued that the key difference between the two is her commitment to putting South Carolina first. She claimed Graham acts as an ambassador for the White House, reading their scripts and doing their bidding, rather than representing the state's interests. Andrews asserted that voters deserve better representation than one who follows external directives.
Graham responded by defending her legal name, stating it is Graham and has always been Graham. She explained that she kept the name after losing her parents as a child to feel connected to them. The senator noted that every document she has ever signed bears the name Graham.
Darline Graham entered the race after the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to serve the remainder of his Senate term. President Donald Trump is currently backing Graham for election to a full six-year term.