South Carolina Senate
Darline Graham (R) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it leaning Republican.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Darline Graham
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Graham Nordone has said and done, because Graham Nordone has too few votes in Congress for a grade yet.
Annie Andrews
Democrat · charleston pediatrician, 2022 democratic house nominee
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Andrews has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Andrews.
Raised $24,216,841 since January 2025: 97% from people, 2% transfers and other income, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in South Carolina: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Darline Graham, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Graham Nordone, so the grade above comes from this list: what Graham Nordone has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Backing bills on the US and Israel partnership, she said there is a duty to stand with Israel against those who seek to destroy it.
“I truly believe we have a moral and religious duty to stand with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel to guard against those who seek to destroy them”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally and backing its defence is the with side of this measure.
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Her office said she backed the Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026, which funds internet access for Iranians.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing human rights measures and an open internet for Iranians is the with side of this measure.
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Asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea matter to US security, she said she is not well informed on national security.
“I'm just going to be honest here. I'm not that informed on national security, but I do support the military.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
She named no position on Taiwan or China, so the words do not settle the measure.
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At the October debate she said she helped pass a Senate bill named for her brother that sanctions Russia and Iran.
“I am proud that I helped get sponsored and helped get the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 across the finish line in the Senate”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing sanctions on Russia is pressure on Putin, the with side of this measure.
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Her campaign site says she will work to make the Trump tax cuts permanent and cut waste in federal spending.
“She will work to make the Trump tax cuts permanent, root out waste and fraud in federal spending”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping a named tax cut in place is the lower taxes side of this measure.
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Her campaign site says she will protect girls' sports and locker rooms.
“stand up for parents' rights in their children's education, and protect girls' sports and locker rooms”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping girls' sport and locker rooms female is the with side of this measure.
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At the October debate she said she supports a strong military and peace through strength.
“But I support a strong military. I believe in peace through strength.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A strong military with no budget or funding named does not settle the measure, whoever says it.
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Her campaign site says she supports finishing the wall, fully funding border enforcement and ending catch and release, and opposes amnesty.
“Darline supports finishing the wall, fully funding border enforcement, and ending catch-and-release.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A wall, enforcing the law and ending catch and release are the with side of this measure.
Annie Andrews, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Andrews, so the grade above comes from this list: what Andrews has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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She said South Carolina should stand with Ukraine and its democratic allies.
“I believe we need to stand with our democratic allies in Ukraine.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Ukraine against Russia is with liberty on free nations.
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She said the tariffs have hurt car and aircraft workers in South Carolina.
“But here in South Carolina, the tariffs have been disastrous for the people who build our cars at the bmw plant in spartanburg”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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On a rural health tour she proposed letting people buy a public health plan instead of private insurance.
“purchase a public health care plan rather than a private insurance plan”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A public plan offered beside private insurance is not government-run care for all, so the words do not settle the measure.
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In an interview she said she does not support biological men playing in women's sports or gender surgery on minors.
“I don't support biological men playing in women's sports and I don't support gender surgery on minors”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is the with side of this measure.
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Said in a campaign stop interview that the country needs a secure border and that existing immigration laws must be enforced.
“we need to have a secure border to be a secure nation”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is with liberty on borders.
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Called masked ICE agents separating families deeply unamerican, without saying whether she would limit or end ICE.
“masked ICE agents ripping families apart”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
She criticises how agents act but names no policy such as abolishing ICE or ending deportations, so no side is settled.
Also on the ballot
Mark Hackett (Constitution), Kasie Whitener (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
South Carolina Senate
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