Darline Graham defends her résumé in South Carolina debate after saying ‘national security is not my thing’

The appointed senator and her GOP primary opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman, traded criticism a week ahead of the primary runoff following Lindsey Graham’s death.

Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman traded criticism over experience, ambition, campaign finance and policy positions in a Senate primary debate Tuesday in South Carolina, one week before Republican primary voters choose a nominee to replace Graham’s brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, on the ballot this fall.

While Graham, a political newcomer, went on the attack against Norman, her thin résumé took center stage in the historic Newberry Opera House on several occasions throughout the debate, including when a question about Taiwan, the South China Sea and American security interests came up.

Add to GoogleNorman, Graham speak after advancing to runoff in South Carolina Republican Senate primary02:02“I’m just going to be honest here — I’m not on national security,” Graham said. “I’m not that informed on national security, but I do support the military.”

She followed her short answer by saying, “National security is not my thing.”

Lindsey Graham was known as a staunch foreign policy hawk during his Senate tenure, marked by his support for Ukraine and Israel and his aggressive push to increase pressure on Iran. Graham had long advocated for military strikes against Iran and spoke in favor of the Iran war after it began this year.