SC candidates for senate deliver opening statements in debate

[0:00] Before we begin tonight, there are a couple ground rules that we want to go over. [0:02] Each candidate will have the opportunity to make a 90-second opening statement, [0:06] and from there, they will have one minute to answer our questions. [0:09] If necessary, I will allow for a 30-second rebuttal. [0:12] We're not going to allow for any rebuttals, to rebuttals, to rebuttals, because they go on. [0:17] And please, no crosstalk when someone else is speaking or directing questions at each other. [0:22] That's what we're here for. [0:24] We wrote these questions entirely on our own, with no input from outside groups or artificial intelligence. [0:29] The questions are arranged before the candidates drew names for the starting order, which they did upon arriving. [0:36] And with that, we'll go to Dr. Whitener for your opening statement. [0:38] You have 90 seconds. [0:41] Hi, I'm Casey. [0:42] Let's start with titles. [0:44] I'm a libertarian, which means I'm for maximum personal freedom and minimal government control of our economy and our community. [0:52] I'm a doctor. [0:53] I have a Ph.D. in organization and management with a focus on global leadership. [0:56] That means I know a lot about complex systems, like our federal government, and more than a little bit about foreign policy. [1:03] I teach entrepreneurship at the University of South Carolina, which means I know about building new things, solving hard problems, and managing budgets. [1:10] I'm a Mrs. I've been married to my best friend for 25 years. [1:14] We have a great partnership and a great kid to show for it. [1:16] We decided in 2020 that I would run for U.S. Senate when we saw how broken our government is. [1:22] You remember 2020, COVID lockdowns? [1:24] One of my students said that it was the first time he saw a bunch of grownups not know what to do. [1:29] South Carolinians are doers. [1:32] We build businesses. [1:34] We provide jobs. [1:36] We plant gardens that flourish. [1:38] We create art that wins international acclaim. [1:41] South Carolinians are fans. [1:43] We cheer on our Bulldogs, our Chanticleers, our Gamecocks, our Tigers, win or lose. [1:50] We're loyal to them. [1:52] South Carolinians know that we can solve hard problems, and we're facing some hard problems. [1:57] Health care costs are out of control. [1:59] Gas prices are ridiculous. [2:01] And AI is challenging the way we think about work and security. [2:05] Tonight, I'm going to earn your vote, because I know that we can fix these problems without growing government. [2:11] Thank you, Dr. Senator Graham, your opening statement. [2:13] Thank you to ETV for hosting tonight's debate. [2:17] First, I would like to recognize the historical significance of tonight with three women on the stage. [2:22] I would also like to say it's been three months today since I lost Lindsay, my precious brother. [2:28] I'm running for the United States Senate because I was born and raised in South Carolina, and I love this state. [2:36] I want to work hard to make South Carolina better and safer. [2:39] I'm a conservative Christian that watched my parents work hard before I lost them at a young age. [2:46] I know what it feels like to live paycheck to paycheck. [2:49] That's why I want to keep spending and taxes low, to put more money in your pockets. [2:55] I was a leader in state government for 30 years where I helped people with disabilities go to work so that they didn't have to rely on the government. [3:04] I fought duplication and services to save taxpayers' dollars. [3:09] I've been in the Senate for three months now. [3:11] I've already co-sponsored several bills that protect farmers, that protect the American taxpayer. [3:19] My Democratic opponent is pretending to be someone she is not. [3:23] She's the most radical liberal that's ever run for a state office in South Carolina. [3:28] She wants to increase spending and raise your taxes and defund the police. [3:32] There's only one conservative running in this race, and that's me. [3:37] And I promise to stay true to who I am, work hard every single day for South Carolina, to fight for this state, and I humbly ask for your vote. [3:47] God bless you and thank you. [3:49] Thank you, Senator. [3:49] Dr. Andrews, your opening statement. [3:52] Good evening. [3:53] I'm Dr. Annie Andrews. [3:54] I'm a pediatrician and a proud public school mom. [3:58] I never planned to run for office, and I still don't want to be a career politician. [4:04] But for 20 years, I watched as broken policies coming from Washington harmed my patients and their families. [4:11] Insulin and inhalers that break the bank and insurance companies standing between sick kids and the care that they need. [4:18] And I wasn't just going to sit by and watch, because when I see a problem, I want to fix it. [4:23] So I got involved, not because anybody recruited me or because anybody handed me anything. [4:30] Now, my opponent is going to stand up here tonight and call me a socialist, because that's what her script says, [4:36] and also because she doesn't want to talk to you about your high gas prices, grocery prices, or your closing rural hospital. [4:44] But the truth is, I'm a working mom with a Republican dad, and I'm in this fight for my kids and your kids and you and all of our futures. [4:53] So if you are an independent who is ready for change, this is the campaign for you. [4:58] If you are a Republican who feels left behind by your party, this is the campaign for you. [5:04] If you don't think Washington should pick your next senator, this is the campaign for you. [5:10] And if you want to get the ugliness out of politics, this is the campaign for you. [5:16] In the U.S. Senate, I will be an independent voice, and I will always put South Carolina first. [5:22] Thank you.