{"id":2681111,"date":"2026-10-11T06:20:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T10:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/darline-graham-debate-make-or-break-moment-for-trump-endorsee\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T06:21:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T10:21:58","slug":"darline-graham-debate-make-or-break-moment-for-trump-endorsee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/darline-graham-debate-make-or-break-moment-for-trump-endorsee\/","title":{"rendered":"Darline Graham debate make-or-break moment for Trump endorsee"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdarline-graham-debate-make-or-break-moment-for-trump-endorsee%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2681111&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the unexpectedly competitive U.S. Senate race in South Carolina, were Republican incumbent Darline Graham is closely tied with Democratic challenger Annie Andrews, despite South Carolina traditionally leaning heavily Republican. Polls show a tightening race, raising concerns among Republicans about holding the seat, especially as Andrews gains significant media attention and campaign spending.graham faces internal challenges, including a recent debate struggle and a viral gaffe regarding national security. The race is further complicated by Libertarian Kasie Whitener&#8217;s involvement, which could pull votes from either side. Meanwhile, Republicans contend polls may be misleading, citing past races where predictions underestimated incumbents\u2019 margins. President Trump has publicly supported Graham, criticizing Andrews with strong rhetoric.Democrats note Graham&#8217;s campaign has been marred by gaffes and she lacks the incumbency advantage her late brother, lindsey Graham, previously held. The upcoming debate and the overall political climate will be critical in determining the election outcome,as both sides prepare for a closely contested race.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-first wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republicans are brushing off signs of an unexpectedly competitive Senate race in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"524\">South Carolina,<\/a> where President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> endorsed candidate is locked in a statistical tie with her Democratic opponent less than a month before <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11675\">Election Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/darline-graham-nordone\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23139\">Darline Graham<\/a> (R-SC), who was appointed to replace her late brother <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"737\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> in July, is running neck and neck with Democrat Annie Andrews in a state Trump carried by 18 percentage points in 2024, according to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/senate\/general\/2026\/south-carolina\/graham-nordone-vs-andrews\">polling averages<\/a> from <em>RealClearPolitics<\/em>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-bc94147f-c763-469b-8db0-18c76b5c343c-style\">@scope (#mos-bc94147f-c763-469b-8db0-18c76b5c343c) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-bc94147f-c763-469b-8db0-18c76b5c343c-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-bc94147f-c763-469b-8db0-18c76b5c343c) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-bc94147f-c763-469b-8db0-18c76b5c343c\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<style>#mos-d526c61f-0059-4e9b-9fa7-afe88104d7a0 > section { display: none; }<\/style>\n<div style=\"height: 160px; margin-top: -160px; margin-bottom: 40px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(245, 243, 235, 0), #FFFFFF); pointer-events: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;\"><\/div>\n<style id=\"mos-7c4af236-6e71-4cac-8b15-45323c593fc4-style\">@scope (#mos-7c4af236-6e71-4cac-8b15-45323c593fc4) { .we-page-content {   text-align: center;   margin-bottom: 32px;   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;   color: #333; }  .we-page-headline {   font-size: 42px;   line-height: 1.1;   margin-bottom: 24px;   font-weight: bold; }  .we-paywall-text {   font-size: 18px;   line-height: 1.5;   color: #555; }  .we-inline-barrier {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-white: #ffffff;    position: relative;   overflow: hidden;   width: 100%;   max-width: 722px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 850px *\/   margin: 14px auto;   border-radius: 14px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 17px *\/   color: #fff;   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;   background:     linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(50,62,72,.99) 0%, rgba(50,62,72,.92) 43%, rgba(50,62,72,.48) 68%, rgba(50,62,72,.22) 100%),     linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(50,62,72,.70), rgba(50,62,72,.08) 50%),     url(\"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/Washington_Examiner_Capitol_Final.png6acb63011f8c3.png\") right center \/ 50% 100% no-repeat,     var(--we-charcoal); }  .we-inner {   position: relative;   z-index: 2;   max-width: 382px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 450px *\/   padding: clamp(20px, 2.9vw, 42px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/ }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 20px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 24px *\/   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\";   font-size: clamp(25px, 3.4vw, 46px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   line-height: .98;   letter-spacing: -.035em;   color: white!important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-deck {   margin: 0 0 21px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 25px *\/   max-width: 360px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 425px *\/   font-size: clamp(12px, 1.2vw, 18px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   line-height: 1.55;   color: white!important; }  .we-cta {   display: inline-flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 11px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 13px *\/   width: min(100%, 318px); \/* Reduced another 15% from 374px *\/   padding: 12px 17px; \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   border-radius: 8px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 10px *\/   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: clamp(12px, 1.3vw, 19px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   font-weight: 700; }  .we-cta:hover, .we-cta:focus-visible {   filter: brightness(.94); }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.35em;   font-weight: 400; }  .we-member, .we-cancel {   font-size: clamp(10px, 1vw, 15px); \/* Reduced another 15% from 18px *\/   line-height: 1.4; }  .we-member {   margin: 18px 0 0; \/* Reduced another 15% from 21px *\/   color: white !important; }  .we-cancel {   margin: 8px 0 0; \/* Reduced another 15% from 10px *\/   color: white !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 820px) {   .we-inline-barrier {     background:       linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(50,62,72,.42) 0%, rgba(50,62,72,.94) 45%, rgba(50,62,72,1) 100%),       url(\"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/Washington_Examiner_Capitol_Final.png6acb63011f8c3.png\") top right \/ 100% 50% no-repeat,       var(--we-charcoal);   }   .we-inner {     max-width: none;     padding-top: 35%;   }   .we-cta {     width: 100%;   } }  .we-print-subscriber, .we-digital-subscriber {   text-align: center;   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;   font-size: 14px;   font-weight: bold;   color: #333; }  .we-print-subscriber {   margin-top: 12px; }  .we-digital-subscriber {   margin-top: 6px; }  .we-print-subscriber a, .we-digital-subscriber a {   color: #DB3745;   text-decoration: underline; }  }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-7c4af236-6e71-4cac-8b15-45323c593fc4-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-7c4af236-6e71-4cac-8b15-45323c593fc4) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-7c4af236-6e71-4cac-8b15-45323c593fc4\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<div class=\"we-page-content\">\n<h1 class=\"we-page-headline\"><\/h1>\n<p class=\"we-paywall-text\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-print-subscriber\">      Print subscriber? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/print-subscription-check\">Click here to login\/register your account<\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"we-digital-subscriber\">      Digital subscriber? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Click here to login\/register your account.<\/a> <\/div>\n<section class=\"we-inline-barrier\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription offer\">\n<div class=\"we-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Trusted reporting.<span>Unlimited access.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-deck\">              Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis,       and subscriber-only journalism.     <\/p>\n<p>     <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\">       <span>Get Unlimited Access<\/span>       <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>     <\/a>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"we-cancel\">Cancel anytime.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<p><script> (window._matherq = window._matherq || []).push([   'paywallEvent',   {     type: 'paywall',     category: 'block',     action: 'stop',     wall_type: 'paywall'   } ]); <\/script>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tightening race comes ahead of a make-or-break debate on Sunday, when Darline Graham will face Andrews and Libertarian Kasie Whitener for the first and only time before early voting begins Oct. 19.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Republicans insist the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/polls\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"305\">polls <\/a>are misleading, pointing to similarly close surveys in 2020, when Lindsey Graham ultimately defeated Democrat Jaime Harrison by double digits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDarline wins by 10 [points],\u201d Rep. William Timmons (R-SC) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cPolling is nonsense. Same thing happened six years ago. It was nonsense then and it\u2019s nonsense now. Jaime Harrison spent $160 million. Was within the margin of error 30 days out and lost by 12. Same, same, same.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Timmons noted that in the final days of the 2020 race, Quinnipiac University published three separate surveys showing Lindsey Graham and Harrison tied. The late senator wound up winning reelection by more than 10 percentage points.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if the polls aren\u2019t as off as they were six years, Republicans say their infrastructure in South Carolina is stronger than that of Democrats and the open governor\u2019s race will help turnout voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But South Carolina Republican strategist Dave Wilson pointed to a poll last month from the Republican-aligned Trafalgar Group that had Darline Graham with only a 1-point edge over Andrews.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat should raise a great deal of concern for the Graham campaign because the spread between the two is getting tighter and tighter, and Andrews is all over television in South Carolina,\u201d Wilson told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201c[Andrews has] raised money, she\u2019s spending money, and Graham is going to have to do the same thing if she\u2019s going to maintain what has been a lead, but that is shrinking very fast.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A spokesman for the Graham campaign did not respond to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> request for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Money, though, does not buy an election in South Carolina. In 2020, Harrison spent more than $130 million on his losing bid. Andrews, by comparison, has spent only $7 million to date. Yet, Graham also lacks the incumbency advantage and name recognition that her late brother enjoyed in all his races.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile she is the current senator, incumbency is different when you are filling in or when you\u2019re finishing a term for someone,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cYes, you are the senator. Yes, you are theoretically and officially the incumbent, but there\u2019s not the track record of incumbency that we see with other candidates.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sunday\u2019s only general election debate between the candidates will present a test for the senator. Graham struggled in her primary debate against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and had a viral gaffe when she admitted to being \u201cnot that informed on national security\u201d when asked about what the United States should do to protect Taiwan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhitener, I think, is the wild card in this race right now because if there are any votes that peel off of people looking for an alternative to at least cast a vote, but they don\u2019t want to vote for either one of these candidates, they\u2019re more likely to be pulled from the larger pool of Republican voters than Democratic voters, which could give Andrews the lead,\u201d said Wilson<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson predicted that Andrews and Whitener on Sunday will likely \u201ctag team\u201d on Graham, adding that \u201ccould influence what she says, how she performs, what she does, and what people think.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor Darline Graham, she\u2019s going to have to prove this Sunday night that she can stand on the battlefield of a campaign with more than one opponent in the room and win,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham\u2019s problems come as other Trump-endorsed candidates, including Texas GOP Senate nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4370\">Ken Paxton<\/a>, remain in within-the-margin-of-error races. Paxton is, on average, in his own statistical tie with the Democratic nominee, Texas state Rep. James Talarico.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI assume that Graham can win, but the [Make America Great Again] moment seems to be passing away,\u201d former South Carolina GOP Rep. Bob Inglis, a longtime critic of Trump, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump on Monday expressed his continued support for Graham and criticized Andrews, a pediatrician who previously ran for Congress in South Carolina\u2019s 1st Congressional District.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnnie \u2018Trannie\u2019 Andrews is running against our wonderful Darline Graham for the Senate in South Carolina,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social. \u201cDarline is a High Quality person, maybe the Highest, and Annie Trannie is not, in particular, as it pertains to representing the Values of the Great People of South Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe is in favor of Transgender for Everyone, Open Borders, Defunding the Police, High Taxes, a Weak Military, and will absolutely fight to take your guns away,\u201d he wrote. \u201cIn other words, she is against our Great Second Amendment! Trannie is not for South Carolina, and South Carolina must show, in the upcoming Election, that it is not for her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4754795\/democrats-early-victory-talk-voters-complacent-hamper-turnout\/\"><strong>DEMOCRATS FEAR EARLY VICTORY TALK COULD MAKE VOTERS COMPLACENT AND HAMPER TURNOUT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regardless, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokeswoman Monica Robinson countered that Graham\u2019s campaign has been \u201cdefined by embarrassing gaffes and full-throated support for the policies spiking the cost of gas, groceries, and healthcare for South Carolinians.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRepublicans being forced to spend money defending South Carolina shows how far Democrats have expanded the map while the GOP scrambled to prop up struggling, second-rate candidates as their disastrous agenda continues raising costs and hurting voters across the map,\u201d Robinson told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GOP dismisses South Carolina Senate race as close contest<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2681112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AP26234009010233.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[35835,82778,37043,39103],"class_list":["post-2681111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign-strategy","tag-darline-graham","tag-political-debate","tag-trump-endorsement"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AP26234009010233.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2681111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2681111"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2681111\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2681114,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2681111\/revisions\/2681114"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2681112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2681111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2681111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2681111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}