South Carolina Republican Senator Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham, had a tense exchange after realizing she was being filmed during a recent campaign event.
The moment unfolded when an attendee pressed Darline on her position on abortion. In response, she stated that she supports South Carolina’s six-week abortion ban.
But the discussion quickly shifted when she noticed the phone. “Is your phone recording me?? It bothers me that you’re recording me without my permission,” the senator said during the event.
Darline’s objection came despite her status as both a public official and a candidate for elected office. South Carolina recording laws also allow one-party consent.
Under South Carolina state code, only one person involved in an in-person conversation must consent to recording “any oral communication” when the speaker has an expectation that the conversation is not being intercepted, provided the circumstances justify that expectation.
Although Darline is new to electoral politics, she has secured support from President Donald Trump and his allies as she heads into Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff against Congressman Ralph Norman.
Senator Darline Graham, sister of the late Lindsey Graham, reacted sharply after being recorded at a recent campaign event
President Donald Trump rallied behind Darline in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, days before her runoff election against Ralph Norman
Trump also boosted Darline during a rally in South Carolina on Friday and is slated to hold a tele-rally for her on Monday night.
Darline has tried to set herself apart from her primary opponents, framing herself as a public servant, not a politician.
She has touted Trump’s endorsement on the campaign trail, as well as traditional GOP values.
Her policy contributions have been slight as she has had to mourn the loss of her brother, govern, and run for his seat, all unexpectedly in the last month.
Showing her lack of policy chops, Darline made a painful self-inflicted gaffe during a South Carolina Senate debate Tuesday night when she admitted she was ‘not that informed’ on national security, immediately handing her opponents a brutal weapon in the days before the runoff vote.
Her response immediately drew widespread attention online.
‘I’m just gonna be honest here. I’m not on national security – I’m not that informed on national security, so… But I do support the military.’
The extraordinary admission handed her opponent Ralph Norman a ready-made attack line in a race in which the Republican congressman has repeatedly argued that South Carolina needs an experienced senator with a deep understanding of foreign policy.
Norman seized on the exchange, presenting himself as the candidate better equipped to deal with America’s threats.
‘South Carolina deserves a Senator who understands Foreign Policy. I’m a peace through strength supporter! No more forever wars!’ he wrote on X.
Darline is projected to win the runoff race this week per the prediction market site Polymarket, which gave her a 68 percent chance of victory on Sunday, compared to Norman’s 32 percent.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, from left, Darline, her daughter Nicole Nordone and husband Larry Nordone at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, last week
Tim Scott listens as Trump speaks at the rally at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Friday
Darline joined her brother Lindsey on the campaign trail during his presidential run in 2015
Nicole Nordone, left, and her father, Larry Nordone, at the campaign rally for Darline
Lindsey and Darline enjoyed a close relationship. He adopted her at the age of 22 when she was just 13, after the passing of both of their parents.
She has never served in elected office before but has supported her brother’s political career by attending campaign events and appearing in campaign ads.
Before being thrust into politics, Darline’s career was focused on disability services and workforce development, serving as a commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
Lindsey and Darline grew up sharing a single room behind the Sanitary Cafe, the bar, pool hall and liquor store their parents ran on Main Street in the small town of Central, South Carolina.
Lindsey won his 2020 reelection race with 54 percent of the vote. Trump got 58 percent of the vote statewide in his 2024 campaign. Annie Andrews, a doctor, won the Democratic primary for South Carolina’s US Senate seat in June.
The Daily Mail reached out to Graham’s campaign for comment on the video.
