At a South Carolina Republican Senate debate, Darline Graham—who was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to fill the seat of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham—acknowledged she is “not that informed on national security.” The comment came after a moderator asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea constitute U.S. national security issues.

Admission and reaction

Graham answered honestly, saying, “National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise,” while emphasizing her support for the military, citing her brother’s 33‑year Air Force career and her father’s Army service. The remarks sparked backlash on X, including criticism from former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who wrote that national security expertise is not inherited.

Campaign context

Graham is seeking a full six‑year term in the June runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman, R‑SC. She enjoys the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who urged her to run for the seat. The debate also highlighted other missteps, such as a claim that South Carolina’s population is 50 million—a figure far above the state’s actual 5‑million‑plus residents.

Local concerns take precedence

After the debate, Graham told reporters that South Carolinians are “worried about their pocketbooks more than they’re worried about the South China Sea,” underscoring her focus on everyday issues like groceries, gas and health care. This aligns with a July Fox News interview in which she said she often urged her brother to prioritize voters’ daily concerns over foreign‑policy debates.

What’s at stake

The race will determine who represents South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for the next six years. Voters will weigh Graham’s local‑focused platform against Norman’s record in the House, while both candidates navigate scrutiny over their knowledge of national security and foreign policy.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.