SCETV · Watch the debate →
Same questions, same format. A flag is about the language, not whether an answer was true or which candidate is right. Speakers are identified from the broadcast captions and checked by a person.
Factual claims each candidate made in their own words, looked up in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting, as of the debate date. A verdict that a claim is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an independent primary source, and its confidence is not low.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 1:49
We cheer on our Bulldogs, our Chanticlers, our Gamecocks, our Tigers. Win or lose, we're loyal to them. South Carolinians know that we can solve hard problems.
Glittering Generalities Vague, flattering claim about the group's shared ability that carries no specific substance. Flagged: “South Carolinians know that we can solve hard problems.”.
Annie Andrews ▶ 21:00
Darlene Graham is nowhere and the only people she is talking to are in Washington and South Carolinians are going to pay the price.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole Overstates her absence and isolation in absolute terms ('nowhere', 'only people') beyond what evidence supports.
Appeal to Fear Implies vague dire consequences for citizens to provoke anxiety about her conduct. Flagged: “South Carolinians are going to pay the price”.
Annie Andrews ▶ 24:18
South Carolina, if your surgeon said that appendecttomies aren't really his thing, would you still hand him a scalpel? No. So why would we hand Darlene Graham a full term in the US Senate? She is unserious and unqualified.
Black-and-White Fallacy Frames the choice as an obvious yes/no by analogy, implying no reasonable alternative to rejecting the candidate. Flagged: “No. So why would we hand Darlene Graham a full term in the US Senate?”.
Name Calling Uses derogatory labels to discredit the candidate rather than addressing her positions. Flagged: “She is unserious and unqualified.”.
Darline Graham ▶ 25:22
The Democrats let Iran get a nuclear weapon almost. They were very close to getting one. Iran is the weakest they have been in 47 years.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole Overstates the Democrats' role by claiming they let Iran nearly get a nuclear weapon, a sweeping claim without evidence. Flagged: “The Democrats let Iran get a nuclear weapon almost.”.
Annie Andrews ▶ 33:38
Because we irresponsibly entered this war. Instead of defending Ukraine, we've now thrown a lifeline to Russia. We need to suspend the federal and state gas and diesel tax.
Loaded Language The word 'irresponsibly' is an emotionally charged judgment that frames entering the war as reckless rather than presenting evidence.
Darline Graham ▶ 34:32
Yes, the war is one reason, but that's not the only reason. The Democrats refuse. They regulate everything to death.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole Claims Democrats regulate 'everything' 'to death', an extreme overstatement beyond what evidence supports.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 35:08
They are waiting for us to default. Every other nation in the world knows that the US cannot pay its bills. So continuing to talk about spending money whether it's on war or healthcare is a fool's errand.
Appeal to Fear Implies a vague, hostile 'they' waiting for the US to fail, creating anxiety about default.
Bandwagon Appeal Claims universal agreement among all nations to make the assertion seem true. Flagged: “Every other nation in the world knows that the US cannot pay its bills.”.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole Overstates the fiscal situation as an absolute inability to pay, beyond what evidence supports. Flagged: “the US cannot pay its bills”.
Loaded Language Dismisses spending debate with a derisive, emotive phrase rather than argument. Flagged: “a fool's errand”.
Black-and-White Fallacy Frames the choice as stopping all spending talk, ignoring alternatives such as revenue changes or reprioritising. Flagged: “continuing to talk about spending money whether it's on war or healthcare is a fool's errand”.
Annie Andrews ▶ 36:41
Because data center companies and AI companies have spent millions to prop up her campaign. We need a senator who will not sell out South Carolina to tech companies in California or in China.
Loaded Language 'Prop up her campaign' is a charged phrase implying the candidate is propped up and beholden to corporate donors rather than neutrally describing donations.
Black-and-White Fallacy It frames the choice as a senator who sells out the state to outside tech companies versus one who does not, leaving no room for nuance. Flagged: “We need a senator who will not sell out South Carolina to tech companies”.
Darline Graham ▶ 37:49
China has already said they want to be the global leader by 2030. If we don't build data centers for two years, this is dangerous. We are going to be in trouble.
Appeal to Fear Presents a vague threat tied to a conditional pause in building data centers to push a specific course of action. Flagged: “If we don't build data centers for two years, this is dangerous.”.
Annie Andrews ▶ 46:38
That's why I'm so proud to not have taken a dime of corporate pack money because this job is about representing South Carolina, not doing what your corporate donors and special interest groups tell you to do.
Black-and-White Fallacy Frames the job as either representing South Carolina or obeying corporate donors and special interests, leaving no middle ground. Flagged: “representing South Carolina, not doing what your corporate donors and special interest groups tell you to do”.
From the AI transcript of the broadcast; highlighted answers are where the model found a technique.
Moderator ▶ 0:20
[music] And good evening and welcome to the 2026 6 US Senate debate live from South Carolina ETV studios in Columbia. I'm Gavin Jackson along with Mayion Shear and we are joined in studio with the three of the candidates who are running to represent South Carolina for the next six years in the US Senate. They are Libertarian Dr. Casey Whitner, Republican Senator Darlene Graham, and Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews. All three candidates qualified based once debate criteria that is available once.org. No candidates were required to sign a contract of any kind to appear on stage and we will refer to each candidate using their preferred name and title. We also we also provide each candidate with a notepad. Before we begin tonight, there are a couple ground rules that we want to go over. Each candidate will have the opportunity to make a 90-second opening statement and from there they will have one minute to answer our questions. If necessary, I will allow for a 30 second rebuttal. We're not going to allow for any rebuttals to rebuttals to rebuttals because they go on. And please, no cross talk when someone else is speaking or directing questions at each other. That's what we're here for. We wrote these questions entirely on our own with no input from outside groups or artificial intelligence. The questions are arranged before the candidates drew names for the starting order, which they did upon arriving. And with that, we'll go to Dr. Whitner for your opening statement. You have 90 seconds.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 1:49
Hi, I'm Casey. Let's start with titles. I'm a libertarian, which means I'm for maximum personal freedom and minimal government control of our economy and our community. I'm a doctor. I have a PhD in organization and management with a focus on global leadership. That means I know a lot about complex systems like our federal government and more than a little bit about foreign policy. I teach entrepreneurship at the University of South Carolina, which means I know about building new things, solving hard problems, and managing budgets. I'm a Ms. I've been married to my best friend for 25 years. We have a great partnership and a great kid to show for it. We decided in 2020 that I would run for US Senate when we saw how broken our government is. You remember 2020 COVID lockdowns. One of my students said that it was the first time you saw a bunch of grown-ups not know what to do. South Carolinians are doers. We build businesses. We have we provide jobs. We plant gardens that flourish. We create art that wins international acclaim. South Carolinians are fans. We cheer on our Bulldogs, our Chanticlers, our Gamecocks, our Tigers. Win or lose, we're loyal to them. South Carolinians know that we can solve hard problems. And we're facing some hard problems. Health care costs are out of control. Gas prices are ridiculous. And AI is challenging the way we think about work and security. Tonight, I'm going to earn your vote because I know that we can fix these problems without growing government.
Moderator ▶ 3:19
Thank you, Dr. Senator Graham. Your opening statement.
Darline Graham ▶ 3:22
Thank you to ETV for hosting tonight's debate. First, I would like to recognize the historical significance of tonight with three women on the stage. I would also like to say it's been three months today since I've lost Lindsay, my precious brother. I'm running for the United States Senate because I was born and raised in South Carolina and I love this state. I want to work hard to make South Carolina better and safer. I'm a conservative Christian that watch my parents work hard before I lost them at a young age. I know what it feels like to live paycheck to paycheck. That's why I want to keep spending and taxes low to put more money in your pockets. I was a leader in state government for 30 years where I helped people with disabilities go to work so that they didn't have to rely on the government. I fought duplication and services to save taxpayers dollars. The I've been in the Senate for three months now. I've already co-sponsored several bills that protect farmers, that protect the America the American taxpayer. My Democratic opponent is pretending to be someone she is not. She's the most radical liberal that's ever run for state office in South Carolina. She wants to increase spending and raise your taxes and defund the police. There's only one conservative running in this race and that's me. And I promise to be stay true to who I am. Work hard every single day for South Carolina to fight for this state. And I humbly ask for your v vote. God bless you and thank you.
Moderator ▶ 4:57
Thank you, Senator Dr. Andrews. Your opening statement. Good evening. I'm Dr. Annie Andrews. I'm a pediatrician and a proud public school mom. I never planned to run for office, and I still don't want to be a career politician. But for 20 years, I watched as broken policies coming from Washington harmed my patients and their families. Insulin and inhalers that break the bank and insurance companies standing between sick kids and the care that they need. And I wasn't just going to sit by and watch because when I see a problem, I want to fix it. So, I got involved. Not because anybody recruited me or because anybody handed me anything. Now, my opponent is going to stand up here tonight and call me a socialist because that's what her script says. And also because she doesn't want to talk to you about your high gas prices, grocery prices, or your closing rural hospital. But the truth is, I'm a working mom with a Republican dad. And I'm in this fight for my kids and your kids and you and all of our futures. So if you are an independent who is ready for change, this is the campaign for you. If you are a Republican who feels left behind by your party, this is the campaign for you. If you don't think Washington should pick your next senator, this is the campaign for you. And if you want to get the ugliness out of politics, this is the campaign for you. In the US Senate, I will be an independent voice and I will always put South Carolina first. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Andrews. The first question will go to you, Senator Graham. Let's start with the national debt. It now totals $40.3 trillion and is climbing. What specific cuts would you support to help reel in the national debt?
Darline Graham ▶ 6:44
Look, I grew up in one room in the back of a bar and liquor store where my parents worked long hard hours to make ends meet. So, I learned a strong work ethic and the value of a dollar from that. I know that you can't spend money that you don't have. I know that families have to balance their budget. That's why I totally support a balanced budget amendment. I don't think that Congress could should get paid until we balance the budget. Uh so again, I am totally for a balanced budget amendment. I think there President Trump has done a great job cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. I think there's more that we can do there. Now, my Democratic opponent I'm really concerned about here because talk talk about driving up the national debt. She wants governmentr run healthc care for all. We are already $40 trillion in national debt. That will cost trillions of dollars. Our national debt will be through the roof. She will bankrupt our country with governmentr run health care for all. That's just not going to work.
Moderator ▶ 7:47
Thank you, Senator. Uh Dr. Andrew, we give you another 30 seconds to write about that on top of your 60 seconds for response there on the national debt.
Annie Andrews ▶ 7:54
Yes, thank you so much. I believe I'm the only one on this stage who has published a taxpayer pledge. A pledge to root out government waste, fraud, and abuse, a pledge to lower middle class taxes, and a pledge to make the federal government pass a balanced budget. The day I was born, this nation's debt was less than $1 trillion. And today, as we stand here, our debt is over $40 trillion. We expect families to balance their budgets. We should expect the federal government to do the same. I believe the question was about something we would cut. Well, I would not have started or supported a $50 billion war overseas. That American taxpayer dollars could have been invested in our infrastructure, in our public education system, and our health care system. And to set the record straight, I don't support Medicare for all. I hope we have the opportunity to talk more about my health care plan. We need to rein in government spending. We need to stop the congressional gravy train. No more raises for members of Congress. No more pensions for members of Congress. We need to tighten the belt in Washington DC. As a mom and a pediatrician, I consider the national debt to be one of the greatest existential crises future generations face, and I vow to get serious about bringing it under control. Thank you.
Moderator ▶ 9:15
And Dr. Whiter, now to you about the national debt.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 9:18
Yes, the national debt, $40 trillion. It has surpassed GDP. It's the reason I got into this race. I've been talking about it for over a year. It got really popular over the summer when it crested $40 trillion, but here we are. The only way to address the national debt is to either increase revenue, decrease spending, or grow the economy. And most administrations try to grow the economy. That's what this administration is trying to do. But we have to decrease spending first. We can decrease spending by addressing the biggest driver of the national debt, which is social security. We have to get real about what we're going to do about that particular program. It needs significant reforms. Medicare is the second biggest driver. It also needs significant reforms. Nobody's going to talk about those things. They seem to be the third rail of politics, but here I am and I think we need to be honest about this. The third way to do this is to uh de I mentioned, let's see, grow revenue. Oh, the balanced budget thing. 27 states have balanced budget amendments and only about a third of them are actually balanced budgets. So, that's not going to be enough. We're going to have to actually increase revenue by simplifying the tax code.
Moderator ▶ 10:22
Thank you, Dr. Wner.
Darline Graham ▶ 10:22
Can I rebut?
Moderator ▶ 10:25
Um, I didn't I didn't hear anything that I think you would need to rebut, Senator. I'm sorry. Um, my has the next question for Dr. Andrews. Dr. Andrews, Social Security is set to be insolvent by 2032. That is within the time span of the Senate term should you win. What needs to be done to fix Social Security? Well, as someone who was on the outside of politics, like so many of you, I continued to grow increasingly frustrated as I watched politicians election cycle cycle after election cycle talk about the problem of social security. Well, this is one of many problems in Washington DC that we know the answer to. We need to raise the cap so that the very wealthiest among us pay more into the system. That will allow us to have short-term and midterm social security solveny. But then we're going to have to have really hard conversations about how to be fiscally responsible and keep our promise to the American worker, which is exactly what Social Security is. I would never support raising the retirement age. And the reason that we can't come to bipartisan consensus about solving Social Security solveny is because Republicans want to privatize the program. Because when you privatize something, that means that some of your buddies and the Washington insiders can make money off of it. I am in this race to speak up and to fight for South Carolina, which is what I will do every single day. Unfortunately, my opponent is in the race to tell to do what Washington insiders tell her. Thank you, Dr. Andrews. Um, Senator Graham, 30 seconds robot.
Darline Graham ▶ 11:55
Yes. Social Security. Lindsay and I lost our parents at a young age, so we had to rely on Social Security benefits to to live. My aunt, I have a 91year-old aunt, she has to rely on social security and Medicare to survive. U several people with disabilities unfortunately have to rely on social security. So under my opponent, my Democratic opponent, Dr. Annie Andrews, once again, government funed funded health care for all is only going to drive up the debt, further jeopardize social security. And I want to address something she said a minute ago. Lower middle class taxes. Really, you're deceiving the people of South Carolina because you called the one big beautiful bill the one big ugly bill. This lowered taxes on tips, overtime, and social security for seniors. But that came out of your mouth. You called it the one big ugly bill. So here you are deceiving the people of South Carolina.
Moderator ▶ 12:51
Okay, we'll go to uh Whitner, too, since that was her response. So go ahead, Whitner.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 12:56
Social Security reform is an imminent threat. We've got to do something about it. The best way to do it is to remove the political liability. We can do that by creating a bipartisan commission that will study the problem and give suggestions and everybody has to agree to follow those. We've done that before with the base relocation project. The reason we can't address social security, it's not because one party or the other is too greedy or cares one way or the other. It's because powerful lobbying groups like the AARP insist on funding candidates that are willing to say nothing about Social Security. That kind of money in politics is the reason we can't get things done. We also shouldn't be raising the cap because if we raise the cap, all we're doing is giving more money to the people who can't be trusted to spend it. What we need to do instead is talk about options for our young people to maybe invest their money on their own. give them a chance to opt out of Social Security and restructure it so that we're paying benefits to the level that people need to survive, not adjusted with wages.
Moderator ▶ 13:55
Thank you, Dr. Winer. Do we use your rebuttal as your response there, Senator? Okay, thank you. Uh Dr. Winer, this next question goes to you since we're back in sync now. Uh voters tell us that healthc care is among their top concerns in this election. There are rising healthcare premiums, a lack of doctors and nurses in some areas of the state, declining health care outcomes, cuts to Medicaid, and loss of insurance through the Affordable Care Act. As a senator, how would you address these healthcare issues?
Kasie Whitener ▶ 14:20
We need abundance in healthcare. We mean need more healthcare providers. We need more health care businesses operating to offer the variety of health care needs that we have. The rising costs are a signal of scarcity. And everybody wants to address the signal. They want to address the cost, but we really have to address the scarcity problem. How do we remove barriers to entry so that new businesses can come into this space? We have clinics, the free clinic that is run on philanthropy. We have direct primary care. We have all these great business ideas, but we can't seem to get them off the ground because of government regulations. We have eight administrators for every one physician in a healthcare operation because of government compliance and the billing complexities. If we enabled more entrepreneurs, we could even have better insurance. You don't pay your car insurance to pay for your oil changes. So, we should have better options for insurance as well. All of those things would happen if we got government out of health care. It needs to be completely removed from the space.
Moderator ▶ 15:21
Senator Graham, we go to you for the healthcare question.
Darline Graham ▶ 15:24
Uh, when it comes to health care, I believe South Carolinians deserve good health care at a low price. I have two daughters with significant health care problems. One has had brain surgery, spinal surgery, almost died with blood clots. I have spent countless days and weeks in the hospital with my daughter. I've been on the receiving end of tons of medical bills. I think we need more transparency and pricing to help create competition and drive down the cost. In addition, I co-sponsored a bill that allows small businesses to buy insurance at cheaper group rates. In addition, the one big beautiful bill provided $50 billion over a five-year period to rural hospitals, which is extremely important. South Carolina received $200 million of that funding just this year to support rural hospitals. My Democratic opponent called the one big beautiful bill the one big ugly bill. So, I guess she doesn't support rural hospitals.
Moderator ▶ 16:22
And we'll go to you, Dr. Andrews. You get an extra 30 seconds for that rebuttal too.
Annie Andrews ▶ 16:26
Yes. Thank you so much. So, just to clarify, as we've heard this lie multiple times, I don't support governmentrun healthcare, and I'm probably the only one on this stage who's actually actually visited a rural hospital because I'm the only one up here who's actually campaigning. But I've worked inside America's broken health care system for 20 years, fighting for my patients every single day. And I'll never forget taking care of a young boy at at the end of his life after several years battle with a very serious heart condition. And while his family was gathered around his bedside, I received a call from his insurance company. And they told me they didn't want to pay for his entire hospital stay. And when I asked them why, they said because they expected him to die sooner. And they wanted to stick his grieving parents with the bill. I have hundreds of stories like this from kids and families all across South Carolina who are falling through the cracks. And I have a plan to fix it. I want to lower prescription drug prices. I want to restore the Medicaid funding that my opponent supports so that we can keep our rural hospitals open. I want to hold insurance companies accountable. And I want to be sure every hardworking South Carolinian family has the option to purchase an affordable public plan if that's what they choose to do. My opponent's plan seems to be we should all work really hard even when we're sick until we die. South Carolina deserves a senator who fights for our patients and will hold insurance companies accountable. Who do you trust to do that? A pediatrician who's been doing it her entire career or a career politician?
Moderator ▶ 18:05
Thanks, Dr. Andrew. And we're going to go to Dr. Whitner for a rebuttal for one of those responses.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 18:10
Specifically about the only one who's campaigning. Let's be clear. I launched my campaign on March 29th, 2025. I've been to 42 of the 46 counties. I was at the Barnwell Sundial Festival. We were in Manning for the striped bass festival. I've been to Alkaloo. I've been to Buford. I've been all over this state. You're not the only one on the campaign trail. You're just the only one that has a posi following you around and taking videos of you. I'm just talking to regular people. Thank you, Ampy Alley, and Aken.
Moderator ▶ 18:41
And we'll go to my for the next question for Senator.
Darline Graham ▶ 18:41
She actually is taking my personal tragedy when I lost my parents at a young age and using it as a weapon. So, shame on you for that. That's despic despicable. But her government-funded health care plan is not going to work. Free health for all comes from somewhere. It comes from the taxpayers. The taxpayers are going to have to pay for it. It's going to drive up the national debt. Not to mention the quality of the services. You have to look no further than Canada. People in Canada are waiting forever for treatments coming to the US to receive treatments.
Moderator ▶ 19:23
I have more time to finish up with this question. Go ahead, Mayan. Senator Graham, this goes to you first. Inflation is currently at 3.4% and is outpacing wage growth. The New York Fed says the administration's tariffs have resulted in an increase in the cost of consumer goods. Food prices have increased and gasoline is currently at about $4 a gallon here and diesel is close to $6. The average mortgage rate is also around seven and a half%. What is your plan to tackle affordability issues affecting everyday South Carolinians?
Darline Graham ▶ 19:53
Uh like I said before, I I come from humble beginnings. I've lived paycheck to paycheck like a lot of South Carolinians, so I know how it feels. I know gas prices are high right now and they're hurting at the pump. I feel the pain, too. I'm all for suspending any gas taxes. Uh, that's a temporary solution. I was so glad President Trump ease the regulations on red dye diesel. I think this will help the farmers because gas prices control all goods that control the economy. But the permanent solution, the long-term solution is easing regulations on drilling and oil refineries under the Democrats. And Annie Andrews is sponsored by Jane Fonda's climate pack. They want to put regulations, not allow any type of drilling or oil refineries to be built. Just look at California. That's why in California they closed the refineries. Gas is through the roof. It's $7 a gallon, $2 over the national average. So under her, gas prices will be permanently high.
Moderator ▶ 20:57
Thank you, Dr. Annie Andrews. You get 30 seconds on top of your minute for revital.
Annie Andrews ▶ 21:00
That's right. I believe the question was out the about the affordability crisis that I've been hearing from people all across the state about. Every single place I go, I hear that everything is just so unaffordable. And I have three growing children. I know how expensive things are. I went to Mount Pleasant and talked to the shrimpers who are being crushed by these record high gas and diesel prices, which is why I many, many weeks ago, long before our senator proposed suspending the federal gas and diesel tax and finding a way out of this war with Iran that she has voted to continue three times. I went to Allenale and I talked to doctors and nurses and patients at a rural hospital that is at risk of closing because of the budget bill that Senator, excuse me, Senator Darlene Graham supports. I want to restore that funding, but she is happy to gut health care so she can deliver tax cuts to her billionaire donors. I'm going to keep showing up everywhere and anywhere talking to everyone about the problems they are facing and I'm going to work with anyone to solve them. Darlene Graham is nowhere and the only people she is talking to are in Washington and South Carolinians are going to pay the price.
Moderator ▶ 22:14
Thank you, Dr. Andrews. Uh, Senator Graham, would you like 30 seconds to rebut?
Darline Graham ▶ 22:18
Yes. I keep being accused of being nowhere. Uh, you might forget that I have a job. I'm representing the people of South Carolina in Washington, and I am so proud to do it. I've been working hard co-sponsoring several bills. As soon as I hit the ground, I cross the state meeting with voters to find out what's on their minds. But let's talk about the war and the fact that you say that I just want to continue war. Let's not forget how this war started under the Democrats with Iran almost having a nuclear weapon.
Moderator ▶ 22:51
Thank you. It'll be an opportunity. Dr. Weiner, the questions about affordability. Yes.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 22:56
Yes. the problems that we're facing in affordability, everybody wants to address the prices again. And rising prices are a signal. They're not the illness. The illness is scarcity. So scarcity of oil because of our interventions in Iran and in Russia. Scarcity of diesel, right, in that exact situation. Scarcity of healthcare, we talked about that. All these prices are going up because the government owes money. We have a scarcity of money in our pockets because the government owes so much money. All right, let's get back to it. The national debt, $40 trillion. People will not buy our Treasury bonds because they don't believe we're going to pay it back. There's just no evidence that either one of these parties is going to do anything about the national debt. And the national debt is the problem. The Federal Reserve keeps hiking interest rates to try to cover for the fact that there's reckless spending happening in Washington. But we cannot cover for that anymore. We've got to cut spending. We have to address the national debt that will bring all the prices down.
Moderator ▶ 23:58
Thank you, Dr. Whitner. Dr. Andrews, we go to you for the next question. It's coming up on eight months since the United States entered into a conflict with Iran. The House passed a war powers resolution in September to reign in President Donald Trump's ability to continue this war. The Senate did not. What's a red line for you when it comes to this war? Would you support boots on the ground in this conflict?
Annie Andrews ▶ 24:18
No. And I do not support the war with Iran. Already 21 American service members have been killed and we recently learned that eight sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln tried to commit suicide. We've also spent 50 billion American taxpayer dollars on this war. Again, money that could have been invested in our infrastructure, health care system, or public education system. And the war is the exact reason we now have record high gas and diesel prices. Farmers are getting crushed and everything costs more. My opponent is the only one on this stage who had the opportunity to vote to end the war. But three times in a row, she voted to continue it. And several days after one of those votes, she had the audacity to walk out onto this stage and admit that national security isn't really her thing. South Carolina, if your surgeon said that appendecttomies aren't really his thing, would you still hand him a scalpel? No. So why would we hand Darlene Graham a full term in the US Senate? She is unserious and unqualified.
Moderator ▶ 25:20
Sarah Graham, we'll just go to you for the rebuttal and the full question if that works.
Darline Graham ▶ 25:22
Okay. Yeah, that works. Um, you know, nobody likes war. I want the war to end. I think everybody wants the war to end. But let's not forget again how the war started. The Democrats let Iran get a nuclear weapon almost. They were very close to getting one. Iran is the weakest they have been in 47 years. The value of their currency is at a all-time low. Their inflation is through the roof. They are being strangled economically. No one will trade with them. And I am proud that I helped get uh sponsored and helped get the Lindsey Oram sanction Russia and Iran Act of 2026 across the finish line in the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support with the help of my Senate colleagues. It was passed through the House and signed by the president. It gives him uh tools to end the war through economic sanctions. And why in the world would we stop now when they are still dangerous and we are close to ending the war? Again, I think the president wants to end the war. I know he does. We all want the war to end. But I support a strong military. I believe in peace through strength. But talking about not my thing, let's talk about what's not your thing. Your thing apparently is not being honest with the people of South Carolina. At least I'm honest. If I don't know something, I am glad to say it and I'll say it again tonight. But you have or you are deceiving the people of South Carolina. You have flip-flopped on everything. There's so many social media posts out there to prove different. Shame on you.
Moderator ▶ 27:00
And that we'll give you a 30 second rebuttal there, Dr. Andrew, since that's separate from the question we originally asked.
Annie Andrews ▶ 27:05
Yes, that was that felt like a very non-specific attack. I'm not sure what she's talking about, but that I've flip-flopped on. She has misrepresented my positions many times up here. There's a lot to talk about in this US Senate race, and unfortunately, my opponent has only agreed to this one 60-minute debate. I've agreed to three additional debates. We have a lot to talk about. That is very clear. So, I want to ask Senator Graham this evening if she'll commit to standing on another debate stage with me at least two more times before November 3rd.
Moderator ▶ 27:35
Thanks, Dr. Andrews. were the ones asking the questions again tonight, but I appreciate it. And now we go to you, Dr. Whitner, for this final uh response on the Iran war. Again, would you support boots on the ground? What would your red line be for the war?
Kasie Whitener ▶ 27:45
I do not support boots on the ground. I do not support preemptive wars. I do not support aggression towards other nations. There are three ways for us to maintain our national security. One of those is diplomacy. We need to exhaust all options of diplomacy and do a much better job in that realm. The second is free trade. we trade with our partners, then we're not going to attack our partners. So, we need to do a better job with that. The tariffs have put us in some danger there. And cultural exchange is a third way. One of our biggest exports is education. We bring a lot of students to the United States. We educate them. We send them back to their countries with lots of good feeling. If you remember the World Cup, when they all came to the United States over the summer, people were really excited. Europeans, Asians, our friends from Africa, they were very excited to be here and learn more about our country. We can do a better job of sharing the message of what's wonderful about South Carolina and about our nation if we experience a lot more cultural exchange. Again, I don't support preemptive wars. I would not support boots on the ground in Iran. You can learn more at my website. It's kcouthina.com.
Moderator ▶ 28:46
Thank you. And then my you have the next question, too, Dr. Whitner. Dr. Whitner, parliamentary elections in Israel are occurring later this month. Regardless of the outcome, what change would you like to see, if any, in the US policy toward Israel? Israel is a great partner, a great ally, but Israel is a strong country that can and should defend itself. I think that our diplom diplomatic activities between us and Israel are fine. I think we just need to continue to focus on those allyships, those those diplomatic ties, but I would expect them to defend themselves.
Darline Graham ▶ 29:20
Senator Graham is excuse me, Israel is a very strong ally. I fully believe that we need to stand with Israel. The same people that want to hurt and attack Israel want to come after us. The terrorists that were close to getting a nuclear weapon will come here. So, we need to stand with our strongest ally in the Middle East where there's a lot of unrest. I fully believe in supporting Israel. I'm concerned about the socialist Democrats, however, because on October 7th when Hamas killed over a thousand Israelis, Hamas um is just brutal, evil people. The Democrats cheered in the streets in New York over the death of over a thousand people. Annie Andrews will not stand up to the Socialist Democratic Party. She's only going to join them.
Moderator ▶ 30:11
Thank you, Senator Graham. Uh Dr. Andrew, you get 30 seconds on top of your answer.
Annie Andrews ▶ 30:16
Israelis deserve a safe place to live and Palestinians also deserve to live in peace. What's happening in the region is devastating. It is a humanitarian crisis. And as a mother and a pediatrician, I'm not just going to sit by and watch. We must find an expedited expedited path to peace. I told you my opponent was going to call me a socialist. And there she's done it again. She's been told to come out here and call me Bernie Okazio, Mom Donnie. That's what's in her script. But the truth is, my name is Annie Andrews, and there shouldn't be any confusion about that because unlike my opponent, I haven't changed my name recently. And the truth is, I support the Second Amendment. I believe we need a secure border and we need to deport illegal immigrants who break the law. And yes, I want to lower taxes on the middle class. I'm a working mom. I'm a pediatrician. I was raised in a Republican household. The real difference between me and Senator Graham is that I will stand up to my own party and I will always put South Carolina first. She seems to believe the job she has right now is to be the White House's ambassador to South Carolina. The job is to represent South Carolina. She considers the job to be to read their scripts and do their bidding. And we can do better.
Moderator ▶ 31:34
Thank you, Dr. Andrew. Uh, Senator Graham, you have 30 seconds to rebut. I can add that to your question if you want.
Darline Graham ▶ 31:39
Uh, I'll just go ahead and talk if you don't mind. Okay. Um, yeah, there she goes. Insulting me, personal insults about my name again. Just so that you and everyone else knows, my legal name is Graham. It has always been Graham. And you know why it's Graham? Because I lost my parents when I was a little girl. And I kept the name Graham so that I felt connected to them. So my name, every document I have ever signed has Graham on it. I had a social media account where I put my husband's last name where the volleyball moms would recognize me. So thank you for bringing up a horrible tragic memory for me.
Moderator ▶ 32:17
Thank you, Senator. This next question starts with you, uh, Senator Graham. Today, President Donald Trump declared an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, saying the two agreed to halting attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. Uh this comes after the president struck uh an agreement with Russia to sell millions of gallons of diesel to the United States and global markets. The agreement has drawn bipartisan criticism and raises legal and moral questions. Do you support this agreement? And should Congress have had a say in this?
Darline Graham ▶ 32:43
You know, again, I think that everybody wants the war in Ukraine to end. We will all be safer when the war in Ukraine ends. Again, I was so proud to get the um Lindsey O Graham Sanction Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed through the Senate, through the House, and signed into law by the president with the overwhelming bipartisan support 86 to11 with the help of my Senate colleagues. It gives the president tools that he can use if he so chooses to end the war um through economic sanctions. So that's up to him as to whether or not he wants to use it or whether he wants to use something else. But I think the purpose of it is to bring down the gas prices and ultimately end the war. And when the war ends, gas prices will fall.
Moderator ▶ 33:34
Dr. Andrews, next question to you. Response.
Annie Andrews ▶ 33:38
Yes. So again, she's had the opportunity to vote to stop the war three times and she continues to vote to continue it. What we're talking about here is a complex national security issue that requires complex solutions. Let's remember why we are in this war. Why diesel prices are at a record high. Diesel prices that are crushing our shrimpers and our farmers and our truckers and making everything cost more. Because we irresponsibly entered this war. Instead of defending Ukraine, we've now thrown a lifeline to Russia. We need to suspend the federal and state gas and diesel tax. We need a temporary ban on diesel exports. And most importantly, we must find our way out of this war. I don't know how you can stand on this stage and say you want to get out of the war when you are the one with the power to vote to end the war. 30 seconds. Yeah.
Darline Graham ▶ 34:32
Okay. She's talking about diesel prices at an all-time record high. Let's talk about that. Yes, the war is one reason, but that's not the only reason. The Democrats refuse. They regulate everything to death. So you can't build oil refineries. So even when the war ends, gas prices will be permanently high under the Democrats because of the regulations. And you are funded and endorsed by Jane Fonda's climate pack. So you are a climate champion according to Jane Fonda. So again, gas prices will be permanently high.
Moderator ▶ 35:08
Thank you, sir. We go to Dr. Whitner for her response.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 35:08
US oil production actually went up 27%. We're finding customers worldwide and we're finding those customers worldwide by intervening in their comp country's affairs. This agreement struck by the president is a unilateral act of diplomacy. Should Congress have something to do with that? Well, yes. Congress should be acting in a diplomatic way. Congress should be checking the executive branch and the power that the executive branch is wielding in these international markets. We now have possession of Venezuela and Venezuela's oil that is also helping us to find more customers worldwide by shutting down the straight of Hormuz. Don't think that Iran doesn't know that we have a national debt crisis. They are waiting for us to default. Every other nation in the world knows that the US cannot pay its bills. So continuing to talk about spending money whether it's on war or healthcare is a fool's errand. We have got to work on this national debt issue. That is the only issue.
Darline Graham ▶ 36:14
Thank you about something she said.
Moderator ▶ 36:15
Uh I didn't hear anything specific. Sorry, Senator. Uh my next question, Dr. Andrews. Dr. Andrews. In the race to keep up with China and data center growth, local governments here in South Carolina and in some cases a few states have declared moratoriums on data center development. Do you support data center moratoriums and if not should local governments be allowed to declare them? And what if any federal regulations would you push for in the Senate?
Annie Andrews ▶ 36:41
Energy prices are through the roof and I hear about it everywhere I go. And what I also hear is one of the reasons why I was in Aken and Walterboro in Spartanberg talking to residents who are angry. They're angry because they are have seen these data center and AI companies dangle carrots in front of the local elected officials and then steamroll their local communities. These data centers are being built in communities backyards without any community input. Which is why I released my data center plan which does in fact include a two-year moratorum, protections to ensure your rates don't go up, and a return to real local control. This is one area where Republicans and Democrats actually agree. But Darlene Graham does not agree. She thinks we need to all get with the program and continue to build data centers faster and faster. So why does data center Darlene think we need to do that? Because data center companies and AI companies have spent millions to prop up her campaign. We need a senator who will not sell out South Carolina to tech companies in California or in China.
Moderator ▶ 37:43
Thank you, Dr. Andrews. Uh Senator Graham, would you like to add 30 on your minute or
Darline Graham ▶ 37:49
since we're name calling here? Um, but obviously you don't know my stance on data centers. I'm concerned about data centers, too. But I, let me be clear here. I think there needs to be community involvement when it comes to data centers. Communities need to decide how, how, where, what if they're built, if they're built, or if they're not built. I have co-sponsored the rateayer protection act that gives communities the ability to negotiate with tech companies to decide if data centers are built or not and it puts limits on they can't raise the utility bills. So it protects the communities. The communities can negotiate with them if they want to decrease uh property taxes or help them fund local police departments. It gives the communities through the the ability to decide what they want to do if they want to negotiate. Under her Bernie Sanders plan, a two-year moratorum that is dangerous to the security, national security of our country because in two years, China is going to be so far ahead. We are going to be in so much trouble. China has already said they want to be the global leader by 2030. If we don't build data centers for two years, this is dangerous. We are going to be in trouble. And that is the federal government telling you if you can build or can't build. I want communities to decide. She wants the federal government to decide.
Moderator ▶ 39:23
Thank you, Senator Graham. Dr. Whitner.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 39:25
When I was in union for Uniquely Union, I met Archie Hirshman. He's a community member that decided he was going to run for supervisor of county council because of the data center issue. It is a local issue. It is something that our local communities need to decide for themselves. They don't need the government's permission to do so. In fact, they need to educate themselves. We have a great organization in this this state calledce SCA. I was going to say TV. I know I almost got you, Gavin. Uh yeah, they actually have a website that's incredibly informative that'll tell you all that you need to know about data centers. But here's what's really important. urgency is being pushed by the people who are going to benefit from building these data centers. That could be the construction companies. It could be the the computer companies, the the um online companies, Amazon, Google, those kinds of things. But whatever it is, you need to recognize that the urgency doesn't have to be your community's urgency. Your community should be talking to one another and figuring out what's best for you. And again, you don't need the government's permission to do that.
Moderator ▶ 40:26
Thank you, Dr. Whitner. And Dr. Andrews, 30 seconds.
Annie Andrews ▶ 40:29
Yes. Thank you so much. So, it's interesting that Darlene brought up China because the Washington Post just yesterday uncovered that Darlene is hiding her family's business interests in China. I don't think it's appropriate for a sitting senator to be lining her pockets with money from China. And it may be that Darlene didn't know that her campaign was trying to hide these ties to a Chinese company. It may be that she didn't know that when she gave $70 billion tax rebates and tax incentives to AI and tech companies that they would support her campaign. It may be that she didn't know that when she supported gutting healthcare that big pharma would come in that the people around her know what they are doing and they are trying to Thank you.
Moderator ▶ 41:09
Senator Graham, would you like 30 seconds for both?
Darline Graham ▶ 41:11
Absolutely. So, you're bringing up my husband. You're sinking pretty low. My husband is employed by the company. He doesn't own the company or have any interest in the company. They buy toy guns from China. If y'all didn't regulate everybody to death, maybe some of the manufacturers would actually stay in this country. And let's talk about you and your pack money. You received $200,000 in your personal pocket from a gun control group. You were paid personally by the gun control group. You ran a failed pack. All the money went to your friends.
Moderator ▶ 41:46
I keep going back and forth. You all, that's the rebuttal to the rebuttal that we were talking about. Dr. Wer, this next question starts with you. Some leaders in the world of artificial intelligence say the technology is growing too fast and it's posing dangers. We've already seen one example of AI agents hacking another platform. Do you use AI? And what should Congress's role be in the future of AI?
Kasie Whitener ▶ 42:04
Yes, I use AI. I want to say I love Gemini. I'm a big fan. I do use AI and I actually allow my students to use it as well. I mean, this is a tool that they need to know how to use before they get into the workforce. I do agree however with the CEO of Nvidia who said that those AI companies asking for government intervention need to have agency in the businesses that they're building. They have to take responsibility not just for the product that they're creating but for the process of creating that product and if the process fails as you mentioned the AI hacking into another system if the process for creation fails they have to improve that process. I'm a business professor at the Darlmore School of Business. I believe that free enterprise can solve these problems and we already have laws that are going to protect consumers should these AI projects run a muck, but mostly we need people to take responsibility for their own companies and their own behaviors. We don't need government regulations in this space.
Moderator ▶ 43:02
Thank you, Senator Graham. Uh, do you use AI and what should Congress be doing for the future of AI?
Darline Graham ▶ 43:07
Yes, I use AI and yes, I have concerns about it. I've heard stories directly from AI representatives who talk about the agents that have broken out of this uh sandbox, which is the safe test environment they're supposed to be using. And I'm very glad that President Trump established created the super intelligence task force to monitor risk. I think it's so important to monitor the risk and require reports. So, we're going to be monitoring them very closely. But I again, I'm going to warn against China. China has said that they want to be the global leader by 2030. If we let China win the race in AI, that is a threat to our national and economic security, we're in an electronic warfare basically right now. So, we cannot let them get ahead. But I think monitoring the risk is the right way to go.
Moderator ▶ 44:00
And Dr. Andrew, to you, do you use AI and how would you regulate it?
Annie Andrews ▶ 44:03
I do use AI. Um, this is one of the very serious issues that will face whoever is elected to this full term in the US Senate. And I am deeply sorry for what the Graham family has been through over the past several months. And I thought it was a nice gesture when the governor and the president appointed Senator Graham to fulfill her brother's term. But now we're talking about a full term in the US Senate. And it is nothing personal, but she has shown time and time again that she is not up for the job. Whether it is the threat of e AI that experts warn could cause massive job losses or actual loss to humanity or a potential confrontation with China over the Taiwan strait or endless wars that lead to rising costs. We need somebody in this Senate who is willing to wake up every day, roll up their sleeves, go to work, reach across the aisle and solve these problems. We need someone who is ready for the job on day one. I will be ready for the job on day one. Senator Graham has proven otherwise.
Moderator ▶ 44:59
Senator Graham, 30 seconds.
Darline Graham ▶ 45:00
Yes, I would like to rebut, please. I don't think there's anybody that works harder than I do. I have proven that over the past few months, losing my brother, running a primary, a runoff, and campaigning for a general election while doing the job as a United States senator. Through the grace of God and much prayer, I have found out just how strong I am. So, if anybody's going to roll up sleeves and work hard for this state, this great state of South Carolina that I love, it definitely will be me. And I'm just as qualified as you are. You're a pediatrician that can't define a woman.
Moderator ▶ 45:38
And next question from my aunt to you, Senator Graham. Senator Graham, parents, including those here in South Carolina, have repeatedly called on Congress to act and get more aggressive in holding social media companies accountable to protect minors. What regulations do you support to protect minors on social media and hold social media owners accountable?
Darline Graham ▶ 45:59
Yes, thank you for the question. I'm all for holding social media companies accountable. Um, you know, there have been unfortunate suicides and you know, I feel for the parents who have lost children and teens to social media bullying. Um, so I'm definitely for holding social media media companies accountable. Um, no way about that. Um, but again, I think we have to be careful. We can't put we can put guard rails in place, but we can't put too many controls in place because we have to allow these companies to be able to expand.
Moderator ▶ 46:36
Thank you, Senator Graham. Dr. Andrews.
Annie Andrews ▶ 46:38
Yeah. So, just before she said, "I'm just a pediatrician." Well, who knows more about the negative mental health impacts of social media on our youth than a pediatrician? She's concerned about this, but she supports the guts to the Medicaid program. Medicaid is the largest insurer of children here in South Carolina. And gutting Medicaid will rip away mental health services from counties that are lucky enough to still have them. When I was just in Allenale standing in front of their only hospital, I talked to the emergency department physician there who said he's the only mental health care provider for 60 to 90 miles. We can't take mental health seriously while simultaneously gutting the Medicaid program. I'm a parent of a 14-year-old daughter. I have deep concerns about what happens when we put corporation and corporate interests and profits over people and what is in the best interest of our community members and our children. That's why I'm so proud to not have taken a dime of corporate pack money because this job is about representing South Carolina, not doing what your corporate donors and special interest groups tell you to do.
Moderator ▶ 47:46
Senator Graham, you have 30 seconds to reply.
Darline Graham ▶ 47:48
Yes. You know, I'm not even sure what she's talking about when she's talking about gutting Medicaid. If she's talking about the one big beautiful bill that requires ablebodied people to work or train for 20 hours a week to see receive Medicaid, then yes, count me in. I'm all for it. But let's talk about pack money. You ran a pack into the ground, a fail pack where 90% of the funding went to your friends, your consultants, and your cronies instead of the the children it was supposed to go to. Plus, again, let's talk about the $200,000 that went into your personal pocket from a gun control group.
Moderator ▶ 48:27
You have 30 seconds and then we'll move on.
Annie Andrews ▶ 48:27
I did try to start an organization that would be a voice for children in Washington DC. America's children have no inherent political power. They can't vote and they can't they're not billionaires and they can't donate to politicians. So, it's incumbent upon those of us who do care about as America's children to build a political movement that centers America's children. And that is one of the very reasons that I am in this race and why I would be so proud to be our nation's first ever pediatrician senator.
Moderator ▶ 48:58
Thank you, Dr. Dr. Whitner.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 49:00
We go back a few questions ago. I don't have any sleeves to roll up, so we'll just leave that out there. Uh hard work is absolutely everybody's going to do it. We're all going to do that. All right. Cell phone bans fail. And that's one of the ways that we have tried to curb teenager social media use is cell phone bans. We know that they don't work. They don't achieve their outcomes or their desired outcomes. We also know that civil suits win. So, we should continue to support civil suits against these major companies and bring to light the idea that these companies are being held accountable through those civil suits. When we think about adding more regulations, all we're doing is increasing the size of government, making things more complicated, and that's just going to raise prices. So every time we think of our state being a parental rights state, let's talk about our parents being in charge of their kids and our parents thinking about what are the right ways to keep their kids away from things like harmful social media sites and from harmful cell phones. I think this is as a parents right state we should focus on that. Thank you.
Moderator ▶ 50:06
Uh Dr. Andrews this next question starts with you. Recently, the state held its third annual nuclear summit where state leaders like the governor and house speaker and other industry leaders said that South Carolina is poised to be a key player. What's your view on the expansion of nuclear energy in the state? For example, would you support more reactors? And what would you do in the Senate to improve the nuclear ecosystem of South Carolina?
Annie Andrews ▶ 50:27
So, it's an all of the above approach. We're learning the hard lesson now about what happens when you continue to rely on foreign oil. Gas price in South Carolina is now over $4. Diesel is just under $6. My opponent's plan seems to be let's just drill more. But there are so many more opportunities out there, including investments in nuclear energy, including supporting the Savannah River site, which I do. But we need to invest in wind and solar and think about the future for our children and our grandchildren and what kind of world we want to leave behind. But right now, we are suffering the consequences of our over over reliance on foreign oil. I have talked to so many people all across the state of South Carolina who are trying to figure out who if they can fill up their gas tank or if they can go to the grocery store, if they can go fill their child's asthma inhaler prescription or if they can pay for their child care. Everything is unaffordable. My opponent supports all of the uh the policies that got us to this affordability crisis and we need to get serious about ending it.
Moderator ▶ 51:31
Thank you, Dr. Andrew. We'll go to you Senator Graham for that and the vote on the 60 seconds for the question.
Darline Graham ▶ 51:36
Uh yes, I fully support the Savannah River site. I currently sit on the appropriations committee so any way I can help them. Lindsay was always a champion for them and I will be as well. The Savannah Riverite employs over 10,000 people, specialized good paying jobs with great benefits. They help keep our country and our state safe. They help uh with our economy. So, I'll do everything I can to support the Savannah River site or other uh nuclear projects like VC Summer, the project there. Um, when it comes to solar power, let's look at the Democrats who tried to invest in solar power farms, which was completely failed because all the tax credits ended up going to the Chinese, helping the Chinese more than it did the United States. and the regulations uh that you want to impose on all drilling and refineries is going to hurt gas prices permanently. We can't survive off wind and solar power. We have to drill for gas. So look at California again where they've shut down the oil refineries. Gas is $7 a gallon there, $2 over the national average because of all the regulations on drilling and oil refineries. You are uh endorsed by Jane Fonda's climate pack. So, you're going to join the Democrats when it comes to restrictions and regulations.
Moderator ▶ 53:12
That was your rebuttal, too. Uh let's go to you, Dr. Whitner, for nuclear.
Kasie Whitener ▶ 53:17
When I was in Aken, I met a guy named Noah. He is a great South Carolina success story. He actually went to the governor's school for science and technology and then he went to Clemson and got his engineering degree and now he's got one of those high-paying jobs that Senator Graham just referred to. So I too support nuclear energy and support innovation in that space. If we're going to invest in energy, then that investment should be made in education and in removing some of these regulations that are preventing that kind of technology from coming online. When we think about our uh our impact in the world, the government moving into markets distorts the market. And so if we say we're going to invest our taxpayer dollars in that space, all we're going to do is create some more high prices, we're going to create a distorted market, we're going to make it very difficult for our US companies to compete.
Moderator ▶ 54:09
My on to Dr. Whitner. Dr. Whitner, another top issue for voters in this election is immigration. Legislative action in Congress has repeatedly stalled for years. Be specific. What do you believe Congress needs to do to improve the immigration system? And do you believe that needs to include changes, if any at all, to the US immigration and customs enforcement?
Kasie Whitener ▶ 54:28
Yes, we do need to do something about immigration and neither of the major parties wants to because then they wouldn't be able to campaign on it and fund raise on it. So, here's what we need to do. We need to be very specific about our immigration policy. It needs to be based in sound economic principles that help American citizens feel good about the fact that immigrants are coming in to contribute to our society and not to cause harm and not to live off of the public dollar. If we have good laws will have good law enforcement. The immigration problem is a problem, but it's being perpetuated by people who have no intention of governing. All they want to do is campaign. Let's be clear about that piece. But yes, I do think we need immigration reform and I do think we need better law enforcement, but that comes from better laws. You said be specific. Let's talk about residents being registered, coming in in a decentralized way, saying, "Hey, I'm here. Let me register as a resident, and then let's follow them through a progression so that they can eventually become citizens. If they don't want to become citizens, that's okay, too. But let's just know who they are from beginning to end."
Moderator ▶ 55:30
Thank you, Dr. Whitner. Senator Graham, same question. and uh be specific about what policies and also do you believe that that includes changes to ICE?
Darline Graham ▶ 55:38
Immigr immigration [clears throat] is clear for me. I'm probably a little bit tougher than my brother was on this. The key word being illegal. If you're here illegally, you need to go. I'm all for border protection. I'm for funding ICE. I think ICE is doing a great job because under Biden and Camala Harris, they opened our borders and let 12 million illegal immigrants into our country. Drug dealers, rapists, criminals. I I co-sponsored the In the Sanctuary Cities Act because they're all going to these cities causing problems. And I admire the men and women of ICE who are helping enforce the laws to get these criminals off the streets. My Democratic opponent helped Camala Harris raise $11 million for president. She is for amnesty for illegals. She's for health care funded for illegals, free health care for illegals. This is going to increase the national debt, send it through the roof. Uh again, I'm for border security.
Moderator ▶ 56:38
Thank you, Senator Graham. Dr. Andrews, 30 seconds on top of your concern.
Annie Andrews ▶ 56:42
So, I agree that both parties have failed on immigration. And as someone on the outside of politics, I was also disgusted to watch both parties use this as a political football every election season. And Democrats have failed on the border. We need a secure border to be a secure nation. And we also need to deport illegal immigrants who break the law. But we can do those two things while still respecting the human dignity and due process of everyone who is here right now. I believe that ICE needs to enforce our immigration laws, but they need to do that by focusing on dangerous criminals, traffickers, and fentanyl, and they need to respect due process. ICE agents that are masked with no ID on them patrolling around hospitals and schools has nothing to do with what this country was founded on. Both things can be true. This is a complex issue, which is yet another reason why I think it's so important that this is not the only debate that we have between now and November 3rd. I have agreed to three additional debates. And again, I'm going to reissue the challenge to Senator Graham that she shows up on a debate stage and debates me again before this election on November 3rd for a six-year term in the US Senate.
Moderator ▶ 57:56
Thank you, Dr. Andrews. Senator Graham, we'll give you 30 seconds if you want it.
Darline Graham ▶ 58:00
Um, yes. I want to talk about some things. She keeps challenging me to a debate. I want to spend my time going around and meeting with the voters of South Carolina because I've been working hard. I actually work I've had a job representing the people of South Carolina in Washington DC. So I think it's more important for me to hear from voters than to stand with you on this debate stage. But let's talk about a couple other concerns I have that she's deceiving the people of South Carolina with these transgender issues.
Moderator ▶ 58:00
We have to leave it there. That's all we have time for tonight. Thank you to our candidates. Thank you to Mayan Shector who joined me on stage as well. You can find this debate and more coverage at youtube.comcev newsw. From all of us here atceV and South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Gavin Jackson. Thanks for tuning in and have a great night.
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