Democrat questions GOP senator’s last name during debate — gets a deeply personal answer

BS BULLETIN

Democrat Annie Andrews challenged Republican Darline Graham over her use of her family name.
Graham responded by explaining its personal connection to her deceased parents.
The exchange came during a contentious Senate debate that also covered national security and the economy

South Carolina’s closely watched U.S. Senate contest turned personal Sunday night when Democratic nominee Annie Andrews challenged Republican Sen. Darline Graham over her last name.

The exchange unfolded during the candidates’ only scheduled general election debate, held in Columbia.

Graham is seeking election to the seat previously held by her brother, longtime Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died in July.

She was appointed to complete the remainder of his term and subsequently won the Republican nomination with President Donald Trump’s backing.

Andrews, a pediatrician, has argued that Graham is insufficiently qualified for the office and too closely aligned with the president.

During Sunday’s debate, the Democrat suggested that Graham had used her family name to gain political advantage.

The exchange also involved Graham’s use of her husband’s surname, Nordone, on a social media page.

Graham rejected the implication that she had changed her name for political purposes.

She explained that Graham had always been her legal surname and that she retained it as a connection to her parents, both of whom died when she was young.

Republican described the exchange as a painful personal insult.

The confrontation was one of several sharp exchanges during a debate that covered the economy, Iran, artificial intelligence and the candidates’ qualifications.

Andrews also revived a controversy from Graham’s Republican primary campaign, when the senator struggled to answer a question concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Graham had acknowledged during that earlier exchange that national security was not her area of expertise.

The Democrat used that answer to question whether Graham was prepared for the responsibilities of the Senate.

Graham countered by emphasizing her support for Trump and portraying Andrews as a progressive candidate out of step with South Carolina voters.

Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener also participated in the debate.

The contest has attracted increased national attention as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of the Senate in November.

Outside political groups have spent millions of dollars in the state, and both major parties have devoted considerable attention to the race.

South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998.

The debate also underscored the unusual circumstances of this election, with Darline Graham seeking a full term in the seat occupied for decades by her late brother.

The candidates will not have another scheduled debate before Election Day.

Early voting in South Carolina begins October 19.

DBS WIRE SOURCES