Sen. Darline Graham defends Iran war, says Trump needs more time in Senate debate

Republican Sen. Darline Graham defended the ongoing war with Iran Sunday night during South Carolina’s only scheduled Senate debate, asserting that Iran is "close to a nuclear weapon" and that President Donald Trump needs more time to bring the fight to a close.

Graham told the audience, "Why in the world would we stop now when they’re still dangerous and we’re close to ending the war?" She added that she "supports a strong military" and believes in "peace through strength," echoing the administration’s line despite widespread public disapproval.

The debate also saw Andrews attack Graham for aligning with the White House, calling her the "White House’s ambassador to South Carolina." Andrews framed Graham as an establishment figure who would not challenge Trump’s unpopular policies on Iran or high gas prices. Graham rebutted by emphasizing her legal name and personal history, rejecting Andrews’ insinuations about a name change.

Polls from RealClearPolitics show Graham leading Andrews by an average of two points, a narrow margin that keeps the race competitive in a state Trump won by almost 18 points in 2024. The Senate Leadership Fund has poured $5 million into South Carolina to help Graham, while Democrats view the seat as a potential pickup.

Public sentiment on the Iran war remains low; a Pew Research poll taken late September placed approval at 33 percent, and a CNN/SSRS survey found 71 percent of Americans disapproved of the war’s handling. Gas prices have risen roughly 44‑50 percent since the conflict began, adding economic pressure to the political fight.

Graham’s position on the war stands in contrast to several other Republican candidates who have recently called for an immediate end. The debate’s focus on national security, the war, and the tight poll numbers suggests the race will remain closely watched as early voting begins Oct. 19.