Thirty days after Dr. Annie Andrews (pictured) issued her initial debate challenge, Darline Graham has finally caved to public pressure and agreed to face her onstage. Both campaigns have accepted an invitation from SCETV to debate in Columbia on October 11. Andrews has also accepted invitations from FOX Carolina, WCBD and WYFF—and is calling on Graham to do the same.
“Darline’s primary debate performance left voters with serious questions about whether she is prepared for this job. Voters deserve to see us side by side and judge for themselves,” said Dr. Annie Andrews. “I’m eager to finally see Darline on the campaign trail and show South Carolinians exactly why I’m the best person to fight for them in the United States Senate. But voters across the state deserve that opportunity, too. I’ve accepted every invitation. Darline should do the same.”
Graham’s acceptance follows a continued public push by Andrews, who first challenged Darline to televised debates on August 12, and launched DebateMeDarline.com to track her silence and give South Carolinians a way to demand answers.
The outstanding invitations would bring the candidates face to face with voters across the state:
- FOX Carolina in Greenville: Andrews accepted; no response from Graham.
- WCBD in Charleston: Andrews accepted; no response from Graham.
- WYFF in Greenville: Andrews accepted; no response from Graham.
As Andrews crosses the state on her “Gas, Grits, and Groceries” Affordability Tour, she is hearing directly from voters struggling with rising costs and laying out her plans to address them. The debates will give voters an opportunity to compare the candidates’ solutions on protecting health care access, rising grocery prices, housing, and other challenges facing working families.
Additional details about the SCETV debate will be announced once finalized.