South Carolina Senate candidates clash over Trump’s tax giveaway, Iran war and AI data centers
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Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews sparred in a televised debate over President Donald Trump’s tax legislation, soaring fuel costs, the Iran conflict and the push for AI data centers, with Andrews attacking Graham’s record and Graham warning about China and energy policy.
Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews faced off Sunday night in Columbia, debating President Donald Trump’s tax legislation, rising fuel costs, the war with Iran and the rapid expansion of AI data centers. Graham, who was appointed to fill her brother Lindsey Graham’s seat after his death, leaned on her personal experience with Social Security and said she supports suspending the gas tax and loosening drilling regulations in the name of lower prices. Andrews said Graham voted to continue the Iran war, tied that conflict to higher gas and diesel prices, and criticized the incumbent’s approach to national-security issues.
Andrews called for a two-year moratorium on new data-center construction, citing fears over rate hikes and the erosion of local control, while Graham argued that pausing data-center development would let China pull ahead of the United States in artificial-intelligence capabilities. Graham defended her vote for the Ratepayer Protection Act, which shifts higher energy costs from consumers to AI firms, and said communities should decide where data centers are built.
Both candidates said they would put South Carolina’s interests first, with Andrews emphasizing support for the Second Amendment, secure borders and deportation of illegal immigrants who break the law, and Graham stressing her personal connection to Social Security benefits after her parents’ early deaths. The debate also included Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener.