Senator Darline Graham, who took over her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, recently acknowledged her limited knowledge in national security during a South Carolina GOP Senate debate. As she seeks a full six-year term, she admitted that national security is not her strong suit. This statement came as the South Carolina GOP Senate runoff approaches, where she competes against Representative Ralph Norman, R-S.C.
The debate moderator questioned whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are U.S. national security concerns. Graham replied that national security is not her area of expertise, although she supports the military due to her family’s military background. Her brother served in the Air Force for 33 years, and her father was in the Army.
President Donald Trump supports Graham, encouraging her to pursue a full term and endorsing her candidacy after her appointment by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States, and if so, why or how?
In response, Graham honestly admitted her lack of information on the topics. She mentioned her commitment to the military, highlighting her family’s military service.
The response sparked criticism on social media, including from former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley. Haley emphasized the importance of national security knowledge in the U.S. Senate, contrasting it with Lindsey Graham’s expertise.
Local talk-show host Tara Servatius also criticized Graham’s inability to answer the question, pointing out that her teenage son could easily respond to it.
After the debate, Graham addressed this criticism by highlighting that South Carolinians prioritize economic concerns over foreign policy issues. She recalled advising her brother Lindsey to focus more on domestic issues instead of national security during his career.
Besides her national security comment, Graham faced criticism for misstating South Carolina’s population during the debate. She claimed the state’s population is 50 million, a significant error, as the actual population is about 5.5 million. Representative Nancy Mace, R-S.C., pointed out the mistake on social media.
Graham’s candidacy continues to be a topic of discussion as she and Rep. Ralph Norman vie for the Senate seat. The upcoming runoff will determine if she’ll secure a full term in the Senate.
Reporter Alec Schemmel covers politics for Fox News Digital, originating from Charlotte, North Carolina, and now based in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore metro area.
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