On Tuesday, Republican voters in South Carolina will vote to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on November’s ballot in a runoff between his sister Darline and Congressman Ralph Norman. As South Carolina ETV’s Gavin Jackson reports, the closing days of this electoral sprint featured a major debate gaffe and a campaign rally with President Trump.
Geoff Bennett:
Tomorrow, Republican voters in South Carolina will replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham on November’s ballot in a runoff between his sister, Darline, and Congressman Ralph Norman.
Reporter Gavin Jackson of South Carolina ETV has the story.
Gavin Jackson:
Thousands turned out Friday in Myrtle Beach to hear from President Trump as he rallied for his handpicked successor to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, his sister, Darline, in the final days of a condensed campaign sprint that went from 10 candidates two weeks ago to Graham and Fifth District Congressman Ralph Norman.
She sees her outsider status as a positive, but it also comes with some negatives, like on the debate stage last week.
Greta Van Susteren, Moderator:
Senator, are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States? And if so, why?
Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC):
I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not — on national security, that — I’m not that informed on national security, so — but I do support the military.
Gavin Jackson:
On Friday, Graham continued to downplay the comments.
Sen. Darline Graham:
The critics say I shouldn’t run for the Senate. They say I’m not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged.
(Cheering)
Gavin Jackson:
Trump was asked about her performance before heading to South Carolina on Friday.
President Donald Trump:
She is a terrific woman who answered that. I watched that. I thought it was a very honest answer, actually.
Gavin Jackson:
Friday was also the last day of early in-person voting, and Graham supporters weren’t too concerned over her debate response.
Russell Lee, South Carolina GOP Voter:
It’s not something she’s been involved with her whole life as far as foreign policy and stuff. But we Have got a lot of people in Congress and the Senate that’s probably a little dumber on things than what she is. That’s how I feel.
Doug James, South Carolina GOP Voter:
Politicians don’t know everything when they walk into office. And I think that’s a legitimate answer to know your limitations.
Gavin Jackson:
Norman, Graham’s opponent served in the State House for years, then in Congress since 2017. Norman is a member of the far right House Freedom Caucus and garnered statewide name recognition after coming in third during the June gubernatorial primary. And he classified Graham’s response differently.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Senatorial Candidate: You don’t have to be an expert, but you have to explain your positions and your overall opinion. And she just didn’t do that.
Gavin Jackson:
Whoever wins Tuesday will face off against Democrat Annie Andrews in November in this solidly Republican state.
For the “PBS News Hour,” I’m Gavin Jackson in Myrtle Beach.
