Darline Graham, who was appointed to complete her brother Lindsey Graham's Senate term following his death last month, is now seeking to retain the seat in a full-time race. During Wednesday's Republican primary debate against challenger Rep. Ralph Norman, Graham acknowledged that national security is not her area of expertise.
When asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea as national security issues, Graham told debate moderators she would need the question restated. "I'm not that informed on national security," she said. "But I do support the military." She pointed to her brother's 33-year Air Force career and her father's Army service as reasons for backing military funding, while acknowledging she is "not a polished politician."
Graham appeared on Fox News Thursday to address the exchange, characterizing it as honesty rather than a gaffe. "I don't speak politician," she told host Sean Hannity, adding that voters she had spoken with since appreciated her candor. She said South Carolina voters were more focused on economic issues, school sports policies, and Second Amendment rights.
Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley responded critically on X, stating that national security expertise "is not something you inherit" and is "critical in the U.S. Senate." A former Trump administration official told Politico that Graham lacks experience in executing policy and that "her story is that she's Lindsey Graham's sister." Trump had endorsed Graham following her brother's death, though his recent engagement with her campaign remains limited.
