Senator Darline Graham, Republican of South Carolina, and Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democrat and pediatrician, faced off in a televised debate for the first time on Sunday evening. The contest is surprisingly close for a conservative state, with Ms. Graham appointed to her seat over the summer after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. Ms. Graham faced scrutiny after previously saying she was "not that informed on national security." Dr. Andrews faces hurdles proving she can win a seat a Democrat has not held this century. The Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from solidly Republican to likely Republican.
On Sunday, Ms. Graham repeated talking points and articulated few policy positions, doing little to ease concerns about her weaknesses but avoiding a major gaffe. Dr. Andrews opened the debate by speaking directly to independents and Republicans who feel betrayed by the ruling party. She invoked her father, a Republican, and ticked through policy positions to appeal to a conservative-leaning electorate, saying she supported the Second Amendment, wanted to lower taxes on the middle class, and stressed the need to deport illegal immigrants who break the law.
Dr. Andrews has a history of supporting transgender people and previously advocated gun control as a senior adviser to Everytown. Ms. Graham accused her of "deceiving the people of South Carolina," saying she has "flip-flopped on everything." The math still favors Ms. Graham, as six years ago, Democrats were similarly energized over Jaime Harrison, who was neck and neck with Mr. Graham in the final stretch but ultimately lost by 10 points. Even if Dr. Andrews wins over some voters, the deteriorating political environment for Republicans and Ms. Graham's vulnerabilities will likely determine the outcome, which appears to come down to which divergent portraits voters choose to believe.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing