U.S. Senate candidate Darline Graham is facing scrutiny for saying during a debate Tuesday that “national security is not my thing,” in the midst of a months-long war with Iran.
Graham, a Republican, was temporarily appointed to the South Carolina U.S. Senate seat on July 13 following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham. First elected in 2003, Lindsey Graham was a Washington mainstay widely viewed as a war hawk who publicly vouched for military support for Ukraine against Russia, and for more aggressive tactics in the Middle East against Iran as part of the ongoing military operation that began in February.
Graham and Norman debated one another Aug. 18 at the Newberry Opera House, discussing issues like economics. But it was a question posed to Graham regarding foreign policy and American security interests revolving around Taiwan and the South China Sea that caused a viral moment.
“I’m just going to be honest here—I’m not on national security,” Graham said. “I’m not that informed on national security, but I do support the military.”
“National security is not my thing,” she added.
President Donald Trump endorsed Darline for the long haul as she attempts to claim a six-year term this November against her GOP opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman.
A special primary last week ended with Graham eking out an edge over Norman, but with nobody hitting the required percentage threshold, a runoff election will take place Aug. 25 to determine the Republican candidate facing off against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.
The response seemed to catch the debate’s three moderators off guard. It wasn’t Graham’s only flub of the evening.
Earlier in the debate she mistakenly said that South Carolina was home to “50 million people.” The Palmetto State actually has roughly 5.6 million residents.
Graham’s Background and Echoing Trump
Either Graham or Norman are widely viewed as a shoo-in to reclaim the Senate seat for the GOP, as part of their efforts to retain the current chamber majority, as the midterm elections will show Americans’ sentiments regarding full Republican rule across the executive and legislative branches.
Graham’s response to the foreign policy question on Tuesday has drawn attention, even as she previously suggested to Fox News in July that she would focus more on issues that matter to “the average person” rather than national security or foreign policy.
She also echoed the positions of President Trump and showed adulation towards the man who endorsed her, on issues of foreign policy.
“I fully trust President Trump when it comes to the war in Iran,” Graham said, adding: “Iran is the weakest they have been in 47 years. The one thing that concerns me is we cannot let them get a nuclear weapon. So I trust President Trump and everything he’s doing. I think he’s got this, and I trust him on it.”
Norman has attempted to tie Graham to the D.C. elite, saying on Tuesday: “Washington is with her. They’re not with me, nor do I want them. I’ve never been subservient to anything in Washington. Washington is broken.”
But Graham fired back at the 73-year-old Norman, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2017 and as a state legislator for years prior.
“I’d rather be out in South Carolina meeting the voters than here on this stage with you,” Graham said towards Norman, “but the fact is, I’ve done more in 20 days than you have done in 20 years.”
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