# Graham and Andrews clash in South Carolina Senate debate > Republican incumbent and Democratic challenger spar over Trump, Iran war, gas prices and AI data centers three months after Lindsey Graham's death. - Title: Graham and Andrews clash in South Carolina Senate debate - Summary: Republican incumbent and Democratic challenger spar over Trump, Iran war, gas prices and AI data centers three months after Lindsey Graham's death… - Keywords: darline graham, annie andrews, south carolina, senate election, 2026 election, iran war, data centers, trump, social security, politics, news, Graham - Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/south-carolina-senate-rivals-spar-iran-war-ai-trump-fiery-debate-rcna602590 - Author: Scott Wong - Published: 2026-10-12T01:44:27.726+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: darline graham, annie andrews, south carolina, senate election, 2026 election, iran war, data centers, ai, trump, social security, politics, news ## A tight race in ruby-red South Carolina Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews debated Sunday night in South Carolina, a state where Trump remains popular but the race has tightened. ## Graham appointed after her brother's death Graham was appointed to fill her brother Lindsey Graham's Senate seat after his sudden death in July at age seventy-one. The debate marked exactly three months since his death. ## Democrats see a path to victory Democrats believe they have a shot at knocking off Graham. The top Senate Republican super PAC has pledged to spend five million dollars to shore up Graham's campaign. ## Andrews attacks Graham as inexperienced Andrews, a pediatrician, sought to portray Graham, who previously led a state agency, as an inexperienced empty suit. She mocked Graham as the White House's ambassador to South Carolina. > the White House's ambassador to South Carolina ## Graham labels Andrews a radical liberal Graham attacked Andrews as the most radical liberal to run in South Carolina and as sympathetic to the Democratic Socialist Party, saying Andrews will not stand up to them. > Annie Andrews will not stand up to the Socialist Democratic Party; she's only going to join them ## Andrews defends her positions Andrews rejected the characterization, saying she supports the Second Amendment, believes in a secure border and will deport illegal immigrants who break the law. She said she will stand up to her own party. > I will stand up to my own party, and I will always put South Carolina first ## Social Security becomes a flashpoint Andrews said she would raise caps to make wealthier people pay more but would not hike the retirement age. She accused Republicans like Graham of wanting to privatize Social Security. ## Graham cites personal experience with benefits Graham said when her parents died at a young age, Social Security benefits helped her and her brother survive. She said Andrews mischaracterized Trump's one big, beautiful bill. > You called it the one big, ugly bill, so here you are deceiving the people of South Carolina ## Gas prices and the Iran war collide Andrews pinned blame for high gas prices on Graham, saying she voted several times against a war powers resolution to restrict Trump's war with Iran. The war crushes farmers, Andrews said. > The war is the exact reason we now have record-high gas and diesel prices ## Andrews questions Graham's national security credentials Andrews cited Graham's admission in a previous debate that national security is not her thing. She asked why South Carolina would hand Graham a full term when she is unserious and unqualified. > national security is not my thing ## Graham defends her honesty on national security Graham said she wants the war to end and believes in peace through strength. She accused Andrews of deceiving South Carolina and flip-flopping on everything with social media posts to prove it. > If I don't know something, I am glad to say it ## Data centers emerge as a major issue Andrews nicknamed Graham Data Center Darline and proposed a two-year moratorium on data centers with rate protections and a return to local control of the issue. ## Graham warns against China winning AI race Graham said stopping data center construction would allow China to win the AI race and threaten national security. She said she voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act to shift energy costs onto AI companies. > in two years China is going to be so far ahead we are going to be in so much trouble ## Key takeaway Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews debated in South Carolina's competitive Senate race, clashing over Trump's policies, the Iran war, affordability and AI data centers.