Darline Graham criticized after saying she's 'not that informed on national security'

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., is facing criticism after saying during a debate that she “is not that informed on national security."

It was a high-profile misstep a week before she faces a runoff election in her bid to hold onto the South Carolina seat to which she was appointed last month.

A Democratic strategist seized on the flub to call Darline Graham, ‘NOT the brightest crayon in the box’

Darline Graham has no experience in government or on foreign policy. Her only experience is that she is related to someone who worked in Congress before.

The Republican nominee for the South Carolina Senate seat will be determined in the runoff between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman on Aug. 25.

In the only televised debate for South Carolina's Republican U.S. Senate runoff, Sen. Darline Graham Nordone said she "is not that informed on national security" when asked a question about Taiwan and the South China Sea.

She made the statement during a debate when asked about potential threats to US national security in South China Sea US politics live – latest updates Asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea threaten US national security, republican fill-in senator Darline Graham hesitated. “I’m just going to be honest here,” sh

Darline Graham admitted national security is "not my thing" at a South Carolina GOP Senate runoff debate when asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea.

I’m not aware of any senator ever saying anything like this about national security — especially during a war.

August 19, 2026 8:29 AM ET Republican interim South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham stumbled through a national security question Tuesday night during the state’s GOP Senate primary debate.Darline Graham, who is running to replace her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, faltered when Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren pressed

National security question trips up Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina debate  Toronto Star

Sen. Darline Graham, running in South Carolina's runoff election, stumbled over a foreign policy question during a debate Tuesday night

National security question trips up Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina debate  AP News

Senator Darline Graham made the remark in a debate against Representative Ralph Norman, her opponent in the runoff election to succeed her brother, Lindsey Graham. Here are five takeaways.

Darline Graham said national security is "not my thing" during a debate one week before South Carolina's GOP Senate runoff.

Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman traded criticism over experience, ambition, campaign finance and policy positions in a Senate primary debate Tuesday in South Carolina, one week before Republican primary voters choose a nominee to replace Graham’s brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, on the ballot this fall.

Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) said national security is not her forte but staunchly defended President Donald Trump‘s defense agenda, echoing many of the opinions expressed by her late brother as she seeks to take over his long-held seat. Graham took the debate stage in Newberry, South Carolina, with her opponent,

Sen. Darline Graham admits in debate: ‘National security is not my thing’  CNN