Senator Darline Graham, a candidate in South Carolina's Republican Senate primary runoff, stated that voters are not concerned about her recent comments on Taiwan and are instead focused on economic issues like the price of groceries.
Graham, who is facing Rep. Ralph Norman in the runoff, admitted during a debate that she was "not that informed on national security" when asked about the significance of Taiwan and the South China Sea to U.S. national security. She emphasized her support for the military but acknowledged a lack of detailed knowledge on specific foreign policy matters.
"I talked to a lot of people, and they said, ‘You know what? I’m proud of you,'" Graham said in a "Fox & Friends" interview. "They said, ‘Because you are honest.' They said, ‘We don’t get that in a lot of politicians. You’re honest, and they’re like, ‘We’re worried about the price of groceries, not Taiwan.'"
During the debate, Graham also identified China as an "enemy" of America. Taiwan is considered crucial to U.S. national security due to its role in producing advanced semiconductor chips and its strategic location relative to China. The South China Sea is a vital trade route through which trillions of dollars in goods pass annually.
Critics, including Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, have questioned Graham's qualifications, suggesting her debate performance demonstrated a lack of preparedness. Some have attributed Graham's success in reaching the runoff to her family name and sympathy following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham, a prominent voice on foreign policy.
Graham, who is running as an outsider to traditional politics, has contrasted herself with her late brother, stating she has placed more emphasis on domestic issues. She defended her experience, noting her background in leading a state agency and her career in workforce development, arguing that she brings significant qualifications to the table. She drew a parallel to President Trump, suggesting that many politicians begin their careers without prior political experience.