Overview
- Graham told moderators she was “not that informed on national security” when asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea during Tuesday’s debate, and she also misstated South Carolina’s population.
- President Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach on Friday to headline a rally for Graham as she prepares for the Aug. 25 Republican runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman.
- Norman and other Republican figures including Nikki Haley used the debate exchange to question Graham’s readiness for the Senate and stressed the need for a senator familiar with threats from China.
- Prediction markets cut Graham’s odds after the debate and her campaign has focused on damage control through media appearances and consolidating endorsements from Trump allies.
- Graham was appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham’s seat and the runoff will decide the GOP nominee who is heavily favored in November, a result that would determine who votes on defense budgets and foreign policy issues.