---
title: "Senate Candidates Spar Over Data Centers, Debt and Iran"
url: https://www.hereflorence.com/2026/10/13/senate-candidates-debate-data-centers-social-security-iran/
date: 2026-10-13T09:30:25-04:00
modified: 2026-10-13T09:30:25-04:00
author: "HERE Columbia"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Florence"
attribution: "HERE Florence"
---

# Senate Candidates Spar Over Data Centers, Debt and Iran

> Columbia, S.C. — U.S. Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews traded jabs over data centers, Social Security, government spending and the war with Iran in a televised U.S. Senate debate on Sunday. SCETV hosted Graham, Andrews and Libertarian Kasie Whitener on Oct. 11 in what is likely the only debate of the race.

*Source: [HERE Florence](https://www.hereflorence.com/2026/10/13/senate-candidates-debate-data-centers-social-security-iran/) — October 13, 2026 by HERE Columbia*

Columbia, S.C. — U.S. Sen. Darline Graham and Democratic challenger Annie Andrews traded jabs over data centers, Social Security, government spending and the war with Iran in a televised U.S. Senate debate on Sunday.

SCETV hosted Graham, Andrews and Libertarian Kasie Whitener on Oct. 11 in what is likely the only debate of the race. The stage was all female, a first for a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina. Mark Hackett of the Constitution Party did not meet the network’s eligibility rules for the debate.

Graham was appointed to finish the term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, and the debate fell on the three-month anniversary of his death. She cast herself as the only conservative in the race, while Andrews described herself as an independent voice.

On data centers, Andrews proposed a two-year moratorium with energy rate protections. Graham said a moratorium would be dangerous as the country competes with China, and Whitener said local communities should decide for themselves.

Andrews said she does not support the war with Iran and pointed to the deaths of 21 American service members. Graham said she wants the war to end but not while Iran is still dangerous. Andrews asked Graham to commit to at least two more debates before the Nov. 3 election.