Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) desperately wants to keep transgender issues an active part of her effort to win the seat she was appointed to fill following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham. Although many have questioned her qualifications, Donald Trump leaned heavily on South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to appoint her, despite other seasoned politicians who were already being considered.
Graham’s opposition in the tight U.S. Senate race in the Palmetto State is Dr. Annie Andrews.
In an October 5 post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Annie ‘Trannie’ Andrews is running against our wonderful Darline Graham… She is in favor of Transgender for Everyone…Trannie is not for South Carolina, and South Carolina must show, in the upcoming Election, that it is not for her.”
Andrews responded in an October 6 article in The State newspaper. “If name-calling would help lower gas prices and grocery prices, he can call me all the names he wants. But I don’t think that’s going to get the job done.”
Andrews also launched a new ad responding to Trump’s name-calling and attacks from Graham. In the 30-second ad, Andrews seeks to clarify her position on trans issues: “So I want you to hear me loud and clear: I don’t support biological men playing women’s sports, and I don’t support — and haven’t ever performed — gender surgery for minors.”
Graham was asked again in an interview with Greenville’s WYFF on October 7 about Trump’s name-calling aimed at Andrews.
“It’s probably not something that I would have said, not the way that I would have put it,” Graham said.
Despite Andrews comments about her opposition to under 18 gender affirming treatment, Graham continued: “…I think the greater thing is the issue, the focus on the issue. It’s very concerning to me that she wants transgender treatments for minors, that’s the bigger thing, that’s the real issue and that’s what I’m concerned about…it’s just that she’s for transgender treatments for minors; that’s just morally wrong and I think most conservative people think that.”
At an October 8 media event — Graham was attending a round table hosted by SC Attorney General Todd Blanche in Charleston addressing violent crime — Graham was given the opportunity to repudiate Trump’s name-calling tactics.
“In praising you, President Trump used a slur towards Dr. Annie Andrews. Do you feel like that was appropriate?” asked a reporter. Graham responded, saying, “I can comment on anything regarding the campaign.”
On Sunday night, October 11, the two candidates — joined by the Libertarian candidate for the Senate seat — faced off in a debate hosted by SC ETV.
It wasn’t until the last 30 seconds of the debate that Graham brought up the word “transgender.”
“Let’s talk about a couple of other concerns I have,” Graham said, “that she’s [Andrews] deceiving the people of South Carolina with these transgender issues.”
At that moment, debate co-host Gavin Jackson of SCETV, cut in, saying, “We have to leave it there. That’s all we have time for tonight.”
Although Graham is excessively concerned with the topic, it remains unclear if South Carolina residents share her sentiment.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
