COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) will host, broadcast and livestream a South Carolina Election 2026 U.S. Senate debate on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. from SCETV studios in Columbia. The debate will air live across SCETV’s statewide television and radio network as well as across all SCETV digital platforms.
Gavin Jackson, host of SCETV’s weekly public affairs program This Week in South Carolina and the South Carolina Lede podcast, will moderate the debate alongside SCETV’s Statehouse reporter Maayan Schechter. Together, they will ask candidates questions on key issues impacting voters across the state as South Carolina prepares for the 2026 election. Candidates will not be provided with topics, questions or any information regarding discussion points in advance of the debate.
Names will be drawn from a “hat” prior to the debate for podium position and order of questions. The candidates are not allowed to bring notes or props. Candidates are not allowed to wear campaign buttons or have any signs on set. Each candidate will be provided with a pad and pen for taking notes during the debate. Each candidate will be allowed a one-minute opening statement, and each candidate will have 60 seconds to respond to a question with a 30 second rebuttal, if necessary.
Confirmed participating eligible candidates include Dr. Annie Andrews, Sen. Darline Graham and Dr. Kasie Whitener.
Although not open to the public in-person, viewers can watch the debate and access ongoing coverage during the 2026 election cycle live on ETV throughout the state via livestream on SCETV.org, the SCETV Facebook page and SCETV News YouTube channel; or on the SCETV and PBS apps. Further information about accessing SCETV’s broadcast television network is available on the SCETV website. Additionally, listeners can access SC Public Radio’s live coverage by listening via broadcast radio or on the SC Public Radio website and the SC Public Radio Facebook page.
Additional coverage of South Carolina politics and public policy is available on ETV, ETV World and SC Public Radio. In-depth discussions about public policy topics around the state can be heard on the South Carolina Lede podcast, and a weekly recap of the state’s top headlines airs Fridays at 7:30 p.m. on ETV with This Week in South Carolina.
SCETV continues its commitment to provide comprehensive election coverage throughout the 2026 election cycle, offering South Carolinians access to candidate information, election-related reporting and in-depth analysis across television, radio and digital platforms. SCETV strives to ensure every South Carolinian has access to trusted, nonpartisan information needed to make informed voting decisions. Through comprehensive, statewide coverage, SCETV works to remove barriers to access information, foster civic engagement and support informed citizens during the 2026 election cycle and beyond.
More information, including SCETV’s Political Candidate Debate Policy, can be found on the SCETV website at SCETV.org/elections.