Trump-endorsed Sen. Darline Graham is facing questions about her readiness to serve a six-year term after admitting in a South Carolina GOP Senate debate that she’s “not that informed,” about national security.
Ms. Graham was unable to answer a question Tuesday night by moderator Greta Van Susteren, who asked her if Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues that affect the U.S., and if so, to explain why.
Ms. Graham didn’t even try to answer the question.
“I’m just going to be honest,” said Ms. Graham, whose career has focused on people with disabilities. “I’m not that informed on national security. But I do support the military. My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years so I will do everything I can to support the military.”
Her answer provoked gasps from the audience.
“I’m not a polished politician up here. National security isn’t my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military,” she said.
Ms. Graham is vying to replace her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, on the November ballot. Graham died suddenly last month and his sister was quickly appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to serve out the remaining five months of his term.
At President Trump’s urging, Ms. Graham soon after launched a campaign to win a full six-year term and placed first in the state’s Aug. 11 primary.
She’s facing Rep. Ralph Norman in the GOP’s runoff election on Aug. 25. Mr. Trump will hold a rally for Ms. Graham Friday in Myrtle Beach.
Ms. Graham has run a campaign focused on affordability issues, banning biological males from female-only sports, and ensuring only U.S. citizens vote in elections. She’s endorsed the SAVE Act, Mr. Trump’s top legislative priority, which would require proof of citizenship to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot.
Ms. Graham’s lack of foreign policy acumen is in stark contrast to her late brother, whose was one of the Senate’s top leaders on national security and foreign policy.
“Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States’ national security. Darline Graham admits she’s not. This is not something you inherit. And it’s critical in the U.S. Senate,” said former South Carolina Gov. and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley.
Moderators asked Mr. Norman to answer the question on Taiwan and China after Ms. Graham passed on it.
“Taiwan is a definite ally and we have a trading relationship with them that is beneficial to the United States,” said Mr. Norman, who is serving his fifth term in the House. China has refrained from invading Taiwan after Mr. Trump ordered the military attack on Iran, he said.
Mr. Norman’s social media handle highlighted an additional blunder by Ms. Graham during the debate. She answered a question on affordability by stating there are “50 million” people in South Carolina and half of them live paycheck to paycheck.
“If we’re going to talk about the affordability crisis in our state, we should start by knowing that South Carolina has *Checks Notes* 5.5 million people,” he posted on X.
A Graham campaign spokesperson said Ms. Graham told reporters following the debate that voters are “worried about their pocketbooks more than they’re worried about the South China Sea, quite honestly.”
Following Tuesday’s debate, her campaign issued a statement highlighting her pledge to back the deportation of illegal immigrants and to protect Social Security, contrasting it with Mr. Norman, who said he wants to reform the fiscally troubled program.
“Senator Darline Graham dominated tonight’s debate, cementing her conservative values, support for President Trump, and commitment to make life more affordable for South Carolinians,” a campaign spokesperson said.
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