South Carolina Republican Senator Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late Lindsey Graham, reacted sharply to being recorded without her permission at a recent campaign event. The incident occurred as Graham was discussing her support for South Carolina's six-week abortion ban with an attendee.
"Is your phone recording me?? It bothers me that you're recording me without my permission," Graham said to the event attendee. Graham is a public official and candidate for elected office, and South Carolina is a one-party consent state, meaning only one party in a conversation needs to consent to its recording.
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Graham is facing a runoff election against Congressman Ralph Norman for the GOP nomination. Despite being a first-time politician, she has received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who has actively campaigned on her behalf. Trump held a rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday and was slated to hold a tele-rally for Graham on Monday night.
Graham has sought to distinguish herself from other candidates by emphasizing her role as a public servant rather than a career politician, often highlighting Trump's endorsement and traditional Republican values. However, she has faced scrutiny regarding her policy knowledge, particularly after an admission during a recent South Carolina Senate debate.
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During the debate, Graham stated, "I'm just gonna be honest here. I'm not on national security — I'm not that informed on national security, so… But I do support the military." This statement provided her opponent, Ralph Norman, with a ready-made attack line, as he has positioned himself as the candidate with a deep understanding of foreign policy and a need for experienced leadership.
Norman responded on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "South Carolina deserves a Senator who understands Foreign Policy. I'm a peace through strength supporter! No more forever wars!"
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Despite these challenges, prediction markets suggest Graham is favored to win the runoff. Polymarket gave her a 68 percent chance of victory as of Sunday, compared to Norman's 32 percent. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Tim Scott have also appeared at campaign events with Trump and Graham.
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Darline Graham's background is in disability services and workforce development, where she served as a commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. She has never held elected office before but has been involved in her brother Lindsey Graham's political career, attending campaign events and appearing in ads. Lindsey Graham adopted Darline when she was 13, following the death of their parents. The siblings grew up in Central, South Carolina.