Story perspectives

Graham’s Debate Fails Foreign-Policy Test, Voters Worry

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 2:36 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Trump Endorses Graham

Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democrat pediatrician Annie Andrews debated Sunday night in Columbia, South Carolina, with Libertarian Kasie Whitener.
A Rasmussen Reports poll from Oct 5-8 showed Graham ahead of Andrews by four points, suggesting a tighter race than expected.
President Donald Trump endorsed Graham after she defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in the August runoff.
The Senate Leadership Fund pledged five million dollars to aid Graham’s campaign.

Left

Graham's Fact Flubs

On Sunday night, a debate was held in Columbia, South Carolina, with Sen. Darline Graham, Annie Andrews and Kasie Whitener.
The debate exposed Graham’s limited foreign-policy knowledge and factual errors, raising voter concerns about her qualifications and U.S. President Donald Trump-backed insider status.
Graham admitted she knew little about U.S. interests in Taiwan and South China Sea.
She falsely claimed South Carolina’s population is 50 million, far above the actual under-6 million.

History

Historical Context

In the 1994 Republican Revolution, Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America helped Republicans win a 54-seat House swing and pick up eight Senate seats, giving the GOP its first unified Congress since 1952. The current South Carolina Senate race, featuring Donald Trump’s endorsement and a Senate Leadership Fund boost, mirrors that era’s high-profile backing and fundraising. A victory would continue the pattern of outsider-driven GOP advances.

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Trump Endorses Graham

Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democrat pediatrician Annie Andrews debated Sunday night in Columbia, South Carolina, with Libertarian Kasie Whitener.
A Rasmussen Reports poll from Oct 5-8 showed Graham ahead of Andrews by four points, suggesting a tighter race than expected.
President Donald Trump endorsed Graham after she defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in the August runoff.
The Senate Leadership Fund pledged five million dollars to aid Graham’s campaign.

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