Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamDOJ seeks the resignation of most US prosecutors appointed by Trump: report Lawmakers place blame on Trump for the disturbances as the second impeachment trial approaches – Trump’s impeachment trial, stimulus dominates MORE (RS.C.) and Jaime Harrison, his Democratic opponent, will not debate on Friday night, as scheduled, because of a disagreement over performing coronavirus tests before they clashed.
The event was canceled after Harrison said he would not participate in the debate unless Graham was tested for COVID-19 before they met, a request Graham denied. Instead, the two will participate in separate 30-minute forums at the local WSPA station in Spartanburg.
The decision on the separate interviews marks the end of a 24-hour whirlwind in which Harrison maintained the COVID-19 test as a security issue, while Graham countered that the Democrat was trying to make a last-minute change to the rules that the two campaign had already agreed.
“It looks like @harrisonjaime is skipping tonight’s debate. Harrision is shying away from the debate because the more we know about his radical policies, the less likely he is to win. It is not about medicine, it is politics. His liberal views are a defeat in South Carolina – and he knows it! Graham said in a series of tweets. “Sir. Harrison is demanding special treatment. In addition to Mr. Harrison, is there any other south of South Carolina that requires everyone to come in contact with to be tested before they meet?”
Mr. Harrison is demanding special treatment.
In addition to Mr. Harrison, is there any other south of South Carolina requiring that everyone you come into contact with be tested before they meet?
– Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 9, 2020
“We are disappointed that Lindsey was unable to do a simple coronavirus test, but we appreciate that our hosts were able to change the format of the event to make it safer for everyone,” said Harrison’s campaign spokesman, Guy King, in a communicated. “Jaime will be in Spartanburg to speak with voters.”
The shift in the debate was the latest development in a Senate race that has become increasingly competitive, with several polls showing Graham and Harrison in a stalemate in the final race for Election Day.