The Political Beat Candidate Guide: South Carolina U.S. Senate

SOUTH CAROLINA — Five candidates have thrown their hat in the ring in the highly anticipated South Carolina U.S. Senate race.

Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews and Trump-backed Republican Darline Graham are neck and neck, with a recent “Insider Advantage” poll, taken Sep. 28 and 29, showing Andrews with 45% of the votes and Republican Senator Darline Graham with 46% bringing the margin of error to plus or minus 2.8%.

Also in the race are Mark Hackett (CON), Kasie Whitener (LIB) and write-in Democrat Catherine Fleming Bruce.

We did not hear back from Andrews, Graham or Hackett. If we receive any of their responses, we will publish them here.

Kasie Whitener (LIB)

What policies will you advocate for to bring down costs for South Carolinians?

We need to address the national debt. We can do that by 1) increasing revenue: simplify the tax code; 2) decreasing spending: reform Social Security and Medicare, and get back to zero-based budgeting; and 3) grow the economy: remove barriers to entry that prevent entrepreneurship in key sectors like healthcare and energy.

Is it time for the Iran War to end?

Yes, their economy has been devastated and we are vulnerable because of our own national debt.

Do you support eliminating the filibuster?

No, it requires the two sides to put aside their toxic politics and make good, sensible laws.

Where do you stand on the Protect College Sports Act?

I think the NCAA should have designed a comprehensive policy or risk losing teams to a competitor league. Congress shouldn’t be solving problems inside private sports leagues.

What separates you from your opponents?

I’m not aligned with the current two-party structure. I won’t have to do what they tell me to. I can do what’s best for South Carolina and I will. Most votes wins. I won’t force a run off or be a spoiler. If people want real change, I’m the candidate for them.

Catherine Fleming Bruce (D) (Write-in)

What is the top priority for the state and how do you plan to address it?

My top priority as a US Senator for South Carolina is to provide federal resources and support necessary for the State to function and meet resident needs. I would address this priority by:

working in partnership with the new governor and his constitutional officers to make sure that they have the federal government resources to carry out their vision for the state and its people;
having an open door policy for South Carolina voters, so that my office can provide outstanding constituent service;
re-opening federal offices in South Carolina, so that taxpayers who need assistance from the IRS,Social Security, the SBA, EPA and other federal agencies have access through phone, in-person or virtual meetings without long wait times, and
reversing ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ budget cuts that impair the ability of our State to meet critical needs of our constituents.

What policies will you advocate for to bring down costs?

I believe that all human institutions should do everything in their capacity to improve residents’ quality of life. A majority of South Carolinians, regardless of party believe that the federal government should play a role in reducing income inequality and addressing affordability. Actions I would advocate for include reducing the $40 trillion US national debt (which creates international vulnerabilities, possibly leading to more borrowing and catastrophic defaults); eliminating waste, allowing all provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to sunset, upgrading undocumented immigrant policy so that violent criminals are deported but immigrants who are contributing to the economy and the tax base may remain by paying a fine, and finally, fighting for an immediate end to the US-Iran-Israel War, which is driving up the price of gas and other supply chain goods. This means the US demonstrating good faith negotiation intentions, bringing Iran back to the table, and actively using its diplomatic, economic and political leverage to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East by supporting a free and Independent Palestinian state and renegotiating financial obligations to Israel. Without this commitment, the US economy remains trapped in a reactive cycle of regional crisis and the economic impacts we are experiencing today with high gas prices. I will work to restore a confident relationship with our allies to ensure Palestine has the support it needs to govern effectively and that all nations in the region operate in a new existence marked by self-determination, mutual respect, the rule of law and economic exchange.

What should South Carolina do about data centers?

First, data centers are connected to AI, and I believe it is possible for organized communities to resist a future full of AI. Many special interests, corporate interests and their lobbyists are ready to pressure elected officials and candidates alike to support and champion this future.There are others who have expressed concerns about the negative impacts on job security in the creative community and other labor markets:Projections that AI could displace half of all entry-level white collar jobs in the next 1 to 5 years and that humans could be replaced for most things due to AI; the threat of an AI-powered surveillance state.

The publication of an open letter entitled “Pause Giant AI Experiments” asking: “Should we let machines flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth? Should we automate away all the jobs, including the fulfilling ones? Should we develop nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart, obsolete and replace us? Should we risk loss of control of our civilization?”

It is the push for AI that is fueling the push for Data Centers. Although the South Carolina Conservation Coalition has not yet done so, I as a candidate for US Senate support the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, which imposes a moratorium on the construction or upgrading of all new AI data center projects until Congress passes comprehensive AI legislation that ensures the safety and prosperity of the American people. The moratorium includes:

Federal government review and approval of AI products before release to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Policies put in place to prevent job displacement and sharing of wealth generated by these companies with the American people.
Data reporting, transparency, and collection requirements by the Department of Energy
No increase in electricity or utility prices, no taxpayer funded subsidies for construction costs, no harm to communities or destruction of the environment, and commitment to hire union labor.

Should South Carolina expand Medicaid?

Yes, I believe we should expand Medicaid, but Medicaid expansion is one part of my multi-pronged health care agenda, which is divided into 1) healthcare for the general public and 2) health care for veterans, active duty military and their families, as described below:

Healthcare for the general public
Focus on a patient-centric system.
Address the key drivers of high cost.
Use Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) healthcare as the model for the rest of the nation.
Create equal incentives for disease prevention/wellness and invasive procedures.
Create incentives for the best and brightest to enter the healthcare profession
Fund Long Term Care (LTC) for all Americans

Veteran and Military Health Care Services.

Sustain current funding levels for VA health care programs.
Sustain current funding levels for health care programs for Military Service Members and their Families
Sustain current funding for health care programs for Military Retirees and Families
Eliminate the “Wounded Veteran Tax”
Extend Veteran healthcare benefits to Family Members.

What separates you from your opponents?

I am running as a write-in candidate, welcoming support from voters from all certified South Carolina parties and those with no party affiliation. I am the most independent of all the US Senate candidates. If I win, it will be due entirely to the voters of South Carolina, and they will have my ear and my loyalty.

I have worked for decades to advocate for the issues that South Carolinians care about, partnering with local, state, regional and national organizations. This means that I have a deeper understanding of these issues and problems, independent of what the polls or political handlers say. I have spoken truth to power, faced retaliation, and continue to speak truth to power. South Carolinians will benefit greatly from this difference.

I am the anti-corruption, pro-nuclear disarmament, anti-war, anti-genocide, pro-Carolina candidate.

I believe in progress, due process, the rule of law and fair practices for all who live and work in South Carolina. I won’t throw any segment of our population under the bus for any reason. Ever.