COLUMBIA, S.C. — Republican Sen. Darline Graham accused Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews of misleading voters through campaign advertisements during a news conference in Columbia, South Carolina. Recent polls indicate a close race between the two candidates.
The dispute comes as both candidates intensify campaign efforts across South Carolina.
Graham claimed Andrews has misrepresented her stance on legislation regarding youth sports and medical procedures, while Andrews stated that opponents are mischaracterizing her platform with culture war topics.
At a news conference in Columbia, Sen. Graham took aim at Dr. Annie Andrews, claiming the Democratic candidate has misrepresented her record in campaign advertisements.
Graham specifically pointed to a 2022 social media post in which Andrews called the Save Women in Sports Act shameful legislation, contrasting it with recent political ads.
“Dr. Annie Andrews knows no limits when it comes to misleading voters about her record,” Graham said. “Dr. Annie Andrews lied straight to our faces in an ad claiming she doesn’t support biological males playing in girls’ sports.”
Graham also criticized campaign statements about medical procedures for minors and challenged Andrews to release her tax records to show her income sources, promising to publish her own tax returns as well.
“She also claimed in the same ad that she doesn’t support transgender surgeries for children. Of course, these claims are completely untrue,” Graham said. “These ads are not telling the truth. They’re deceiving the people of South Carolina.”
Addressing the claims during a campaign stop in York County, Andrews defended her record and outlined her positions on immigration and health care legislation. She noted that gender-affirming surgeries on minors are illegal in South Carolina and have not occurred in the state.
“I believe we need a secure border. I believe we need to deport illegal immigrants who break the law,” Andrews said. “I don’t support gender surgery on minors. Those surgeries have in fact never happened in South Carolina and they’re illegal in South Carolina.”
Andrews added that her opponents are focusing on national political rhetoric rather than her actual platform. “They’re talking about these culture war issues that are actually not in line with my positions,” Andrews said.
During a separate campaign appearance in Winnsboro, South Carolina, Andrews focused on economic issues and proposed measures to address costs for residents, while arguing that Graham acts as a Washington ambassador to South Carolina.
“I am in this race to actually do the job when given the privilege to serve. Because I want to do everything I can every day to lower the gas and diesel prices by suspending the gas and diesel tax, by finding a way out of this war with Iran, by ushering in a new way of diversified energy sources,” Andrews said.
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