South Carolina Senate candidate Darline Graham, a Republican running in a GOP runoff, faced sharp criticism after telling a debate audience she was "not that informed on national security" when asked about South China Sea diplomacy and Taiwan. The stumble is politically significant because it appears to mark a departure from the hawkish foreign policy positions long associated with her late brother, and it comes at a delicate moment in her campaign as she seeks to consolidate Republican support ahead of a closely watched runoff vote.

The exchange took place during a debate broadcast by South Carolina ETV on 18 August, when Graham was pressed on China's territorial claims over Taiwan. President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham and is due to hold a rally for her in Myrtle Beach on Friday, just days before she faces Ralph Norman in the GOP runoff scheduled for Tuesday.