South Carolina candidates hold first and only debate for U.S. Senate seat

What This is

• Sen. Darline Graham, a Republican appointed after her brother Lindsey Graham’s death, debated Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in what is expected to be the campaign’s only statewide debate.
• Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener also appeared onstage, though most of the sharp exchanges were between Graham and Andrews.
• The debate turned personal at times, with the candidates bringing a social-media feud and arguments about their qualifications to the stage.
• The candidates argued over the economy, including high costs for gas and goods and broader economic policy choices.
• The race is described as tightening and has attracted heavy outside spending, with Graham backed by Trump and Republicans trying to hold the seat as Democrats push to flip it.
• Early voting is set to begin Oct. 19, putting extra weight on this debate as one of the few direct chances for voters to compare the candidates.

Why This Matters

• With only one debate expected, many voters may decide with limited side-by-side scrutiny of the candidates’ claims and records.
• A tighter race and heavy outside spending can increase national party influence over what is supposed to be a state choice.
• Debates over the Iran war show how foreign policy can shape down-ballot contests and signal public support for U.S. military action.
• AI data centers raise real local tradeoffs, including power bills, land use, and whether growth benefits are widely shared.
• The clash over “qualifications” reflects a broader fight over appointments, political insiders, and what counts as earned legitimacy.