Darline Graham and Annie Andrews Clash in Senate Debate

Republican Senator Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Dr. Annie Andrews participated in their first and likely only televised debate on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina. The event, broadcast by South Carolina Educational Television, followed a month-long campaign by Andrews titled “Debate Me Darline” to pressure Graham into appearing on stage.

During the debate, Graham defended the use of economic sanctions against Iran, citing her role in passing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. She argued that sanctions should continue because Iran remains dangerous, a position that contradicted claims from the White House that the Iranian military had been decimated. Andrews challenged this stance, highlighting the loss of 21 American lives in the conflict and questioning Graham's qualifications after the senator admitted during a primary debate that she was not well-informed on national security.

Andrews, a pediatrician, attempted to attract independent and Republican voters by supporting the Second Amendment and calling for the deportation of illegal immigrants who break the law. Graham countered by labeling Andrews' positions as radical and aligning her with socialists. Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener also participated in the debate, though she was largely ignored by the two primary candidates.

Graham was appointed to the seat in July 2026 following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. While South Carolina is traditionally Republican, the Cook Political Report recently shifted the seat's rating from Solid Republican to Likely Republican.