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Warren Norman’s recent op-ed suggests that conservatives should abandon Republican nominee Darline Graham and consider supporting Democrat Annie Andrews. I strongly disagree.
This election is not about settling scores from a Republican primary. It is about who represents South Carolina in the United States Senate for the next six years – and the consequences of that decision for our state and our country.
Annie Andrews has shown herself to be an activist for biological males competing in women’s sports. She received an ‘F’ from the NRA and has been an outspoken advocate for hormone therapies and puberty blockers for minors here in South Carolina. And, if elected, she could cast deciding votes for dozens of liberal federal judges – including up to three Supreme Court justices.
These are not minor disagreements. They are fundamental differences in policy and principle, with consequences that could extend well beyond a single Senate term.
Warren seems to believe that six years of Democratic representation would somehow be preferable to electing Darline Graham. But six years is an eternity in Washington.
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RELATED | THIS LIFELONG CONSERVATIVE WON’T VOTE FOR DARLINE GRAHAM
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During that time, the Senate will decide judicial confirmations, spending bills, tax policy, national security priorities, and countless other issues that directly affect South Carolina families. Recent history has repeatedly demonstrated that a single Senate vote can change the direction of our country.
In fact, in just the third year of this term Andrews could be a deciding vote to push a Gavin Newsome or AOC agenda into law. DC and Puerto Rico statehood. The legalization of 20 million illegals who can vote immediately. A ban on the most popular hunting and sporting rifles in the country.
And depending on the outcome of other Senate races, this seat could determine which party controls the Senate when the 120th Congress convenes in January.
That means a vote for Annie Andrews could help make Chuck Schumer the Senate Majority Leader, giving Democrats control of the chamber’s agenda, committees, and legislative priorities.
South Carolina conservatives should think carefully before handing that kind of power to a New York liberal whose priorities are fundamentally at odds with our values.
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I understand that some Republicans are disappointed with the primary results. That’s politics. We compete, voters decide, and then we move forward.
Even Ralph Norman on multiple occasions has publicly said he will vote for Darline Graham. If Ralph himself recognizes the importance of supporting the Republican nominee, what exactly does continuing a write-in campaign accomplish?
Conservatives do not have to agree on everything. We can disagree about candidates, campaigns, and personalities without losing sight of the principles that brought us together in the first place. But there is an enormous difference between a disagreement among Republicans and the policy differences separating Republicans from Democrats.
One is about who we preferred in a primary. The other is about who will make decisions affecting our families, our freedoms, and our country’s future.
We cannot afford to confuse the two.
South Carolina voters deserve a serious discussion about the consequences of this election—not an extension of a primary campaign that voters have already decided. Personal grievances should never outweigh the interests of our state or our country.
This election is about common sense, not sour grapes. And the common-sense choice is Darline Graham.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
William Timmons is a businessman and former prosecutor from Greenville, S.C. who represents the people of South Carolina’s fourth district in the United States Congress.
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SOUND OFF…
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