South Carolina Senate rivals spar over Iran war, AI and Trump in fiery debate
Republican Senator Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews engaged in a contentious debate covering topics from the Iran war to AI and the influence of Donald Trump. The race for the South Carolina Senate seat has tightened, with both candidates attempting to define the other's political alignment.
Why it matters
This race is a key indicator of political sentiment in a traditionally conservative state and could impact the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Republican Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews clashed Sunday night in their first and perhaps only debate of the general election, tangling over President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” the high costs of gas and goods, the Iran war and AI data centers. South Carolina is a ruby-red state where Trump remains popular among Republican voters. But the race has tightened in the closing stretch of the campaign, and Democrats believe they have a shot at knocking off Graham, who was appointed to fill her brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after his sudden death in July. The top Senate Republican super PAC has pledged to spend $5 million to shore up Graham’s campaign.
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