Senator Darline Graham faced significant criticism following a recent debate in South Carolina where she struggled to address questions regarding national security. When asked about the U.S. interest in Taiwan and the South China Sea, Graham stated that national security is not her area of expertise. This exchange occurred just one week before the GOP runoff election for her Senate seat.
Her opponent in the race, Representative Ralph Norman, argued that such a position makes her unqualified for the Senate. Norman emphasized that the role requires a candidate to understand the issues they will address while in office. He noted that the position does not allow for a period of on-the-job training, especially for a six-year term.
During the debate, Graham referenced the military backgrounds of her late brother and father. She acknowledged that while she supports the military, she considers her primary focus to be the daily economic concerns of South Carolina residents. She indicated that citizens are more preoccupied with their personal finances than with foreign policy developments in the South China Sea.
Despite her remarks, Graham clarified after the debate that she views China as a significant national threat. She noted that she raised this point multiple times throughout the evening. Her campaign continues as she prepares for the upcoming runoff, supported by a staff that previously worked with her late brother, Lindsey Graham.