6 takeaways from often contentious South Carolina Senate debate

US Senate candidates Democrat Annie Andrews and Republican Sen. Darline Graham take notes before a debate in Columbia, South Carolina, on October 11. - Sam Wolfe/Reuters
South Carolina has emerged as perhaps the most surprising Senate race to be competitive late in the 2026 midterm elections. And on Sunday night, appointed GOP Sen. Darline Graham, Democrat Annie Andrews and Libertarian nominee Kasie Whitener took part in the only debate currently scheduled in the race.
The debate was often conte