---
title: "Senate Hopefuls Clash on Data Centers, Iran and Debt"
url: https://www.heregreenville.com/2026/10/13/senate-candidates-debate-data-centers-iran-debt/
date: 2026-10-13T07:43:11-04:00
modified: 2026-10-13T07:43:11-04:00
author: "Davis Heyward"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Greenville"
attribution: "HERE Greenville"
---

# Senate Hopefuls Clash on Data Centers, Iran and Debt

> Greenville, S.C. — South Carolina voters got a full look at the U.S. Senate field on Oct. 11 as SCETV hosted Republican Sen. Darline Graham, Democratic challenger Annie Andrews and Libertarian Kasie Whitener for a televised debate covering data centers, Iran, healthcare and the national debt. Graham framed Andrews as the most radical liberal to

*Source: [HERE Greenville](https://www.heregreenville.com/2026/10/13/senate-candidates-debate-data-centers-iran-debt/) — October 13, 2026 by Davis Heyward*

Greenville, S.C. — South Carolina voters got a full look at the U.S. Senate field on Oct. 11 as SCETV hosted Republican Sen. Darline Graham, Democratic challenger Annie Andrews and Libertarian Kasie Whitener for a televised debate covering data centers, Iran, healthcare and the national debt.

Graham framed Andrews as the most radical liberal to seek statewide office in South Carolina, while Andrews cast herself as a working mom willing to buck her own party and invited Republicans who feel left behind to join her campaign. Andrews also pressed for another televised debate; Graham said she would rather spend the remaining weeks meeting voters across the state.

On data centers, Andrews floated a two-year moratorium paired with energy rate protections. Graham warned a pause would hand China a national-security edge and said local communities should stay involved without freezing projects. Whitener said towns should decide for themselves without waiting on state permission.

Asked about American troops in Iran, Andrews and Whitener both opposed boots-on-the-ground deployments. Graham said she wants the war to end but defended the campaign as necessary and pointed to sanctions pressure as a path forward.

Watch parties followed the broadcast elsewhere in the state, including a Horry County Republican gathering at Journey Church. Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 31, and the general election is Nov. 3.