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GREENVILLE, SC · UPSTATE EDITION · TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2026
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Senate Hopefuls Clash on Data Centers, Iran and Debt

Published October 13, 2026 at 7:43 am | By Davis Heyward, Staff Reporter

Pile of red 'I Voted' stickers

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.

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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.

What's Happening
Who debated?
Sen. Darline Graham, Annie Andrews and Kasie Whitener on SCETV Oct. 11.
What issues dominated?
Data centers, the war in Iran, healthcare costs and the national debt.
When can voters cast early ballots?
Early voting is Oct. 19-31 ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Davis Heyward
HEREGreenville · POLITICS

Davis is a staff reporter for HERE Greenville covering local news, community stories, and developments across Greenville County. Davis is committed to accurate, community-first journalism.

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