Darline Graham’s Debate Misstep Tests South Carolina’s Appetite for a Political Newcomer

Senator Darline Graham has argued that her lack of political experience is a strength as she runs to succeed her brother, Lindsey Graham. But a debate misstep has rattled some of her supporters.

U.S. Sen. Darline Graham's appointment belongs to a long American tradition of family succession in politics. AP Photo/Meg Kinnard South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s July 2026 appointment of Darline Graham to fill the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term – and her subsequent decision to run for

Sean Hannity gave Darline Graham a pass while criticizing AOC for the same mistake.

Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) on Wednesday defended her stumble earlier this week on a national security question during a primary runoff debate, saying she was simply being “honest” about her lack of political experience. “I tripped up on one question last night regarding Taiwan,” Graham said in an interview with Fox N

Shelby Talcott, Steve Ricchetti and Ashley Davis join the Meet the Press NOW panel to discuss Sen. Darline Graham’s (R-S.C.) debate performance and key gaps in national security expertise compared to her late brother Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) is racing to define herself ahead of next week’s primary runoff, but a viral gaffe during a Tuesday debate likely doesn’t do her any favors. The viral moment, which occurred Tuesday while debating runoff rival Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) after a moderator’s question about U.S. support fo

The Megyn Kelly Show/YouTube MAGA podcaster Megyn Kelly was “mortified” by Darline Graham’s embarrassing debate fail on Tuesday night. On her podcast on Wednesday, Kelly, 55, commented on a clip of Graham, the sister of the late South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, being booed during a debate in her hometown of Newbe

Was Darline Graham’s Dumb Debate Answer Just an Act?  New York Magazine

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.

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.

Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) had a viral stumble during her debate against Rep. Ralph Norman after she admitted to being a rookie on national security issues and bungled South Carolina's population.

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

Senate Darline Graham—sister of the late Lindsey Graham—had a debate performance so poor it should leave the GOP even less sure about her than they already were. Graham appeared on the debate stage Tuesday evening with her runoff opponent, Representative Ralph Norman. “Senator, are Taiwan and the South China Sea nation

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

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  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

‘Yikes’: Critics Flabbergasted By Darline Graham’s ‘Idiocracy’ Debate Moment  HuffPost

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

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