South Carolina Senate candidate Darline Graham has expressed strong opposition to gender-affirming healthcare for adolescents, making it a central theme in her campaign. Graham, who recently won the Republican primary runoff, is set to face Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews in the November general election.
In an August 19 interview, Graham stated that South Carolinians are more concerned with gender issues, such as boys participating in girls’ sports, than with national security or foreign policy. This stance followed earlier comments in a pre-runoff debate where she admitted to being uninformed on national security and relations with China or Taiwan. South Carolina already has a ban in place preventing transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports.
Graham, the sister of former South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, has previously held positions in state agencies but lacks national political experience. Despite this, she defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in the primary runoff, whose political career spans over 20 years in both the South Carolina House and the U.S. House.
During her victory speech, Graham focused on cultural issues, asserting that her opponent, Dr. Andrews, has pushed for what she termed the terrible idea of turning confused little boys into little girls and vice versa. She also criticized Dr. Andrews’ views on expanding affordable healthcare and reproductive rights, categorizing them as bad ideas alongside gun control and government-run healthcare.
Graham also commented on government-administered health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid, drawing on her personal experience. She recounted that her parents worked long hours without vacations, and her mother died of Hodgkin’s lymphoma when Graham was 11, followed by her father’s death from a heart attack a year later. A story published on August 28 highlighted the irony of her opposition to healthcare initiatives that could potentially prevent similar fates for others today.
While Dr. Andrews also lacks national political experience, the upcoming election is anticipated to be competitive. South Carolina has historically favored Republican candidates, with the state backing Donald Trump by 18 points in 2024. However, Democrats believe the race could tighten due to national concerns over the cost of living and broader economic issues. Current favorability ratings show Graham at 31% favorable and 49% unfavorable, while Andrews holds a 36% favorability rating with 21% unfavorable. The last Democratic senator elected from South Carolina was Ernest Fritz Hollings, who retired in 2005.
