The beautiful and historic Newberry Opera House was the setting for last night’s debate between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman. They are in the Run-off to become the Republican Nominee to replace the late Lindsey Graham.
Early voting starts today, with election day next Tuesday, August 25.
In case you missed the one-hour debate, you can see it here:
The Saluda County Republican Party was well-represented at the debate. Three mother/daughter duos were there – Brenda and Michelle Bedenbaugh, Melinda and Makenzie Kneece, and Amy Potts and her daughter, Anna Sharpe. Also in attendance were Judy Mason, Kim Parigoris, and Regina Sanders.
VIP Reception at Bar Figaro before debate
Amy Potts, Saluda GOP Chair; Debbie Eppling, Aiken GOP Chair; and Sandra Bryan.
Anna Sharpe and Amy Potts with Ralph Norman.
Mark Weber, Lexington GOP Chairwith some other guests.
It was a full house for the debate!
Brenda and Michelle Bedenbaugh
Anna Sharpe, Amy Potts, and Regina Sanders
Greta VanSusteran, of Newsmax was debate moderator
SCGOP Chair welcomed the sudience
Ralph Norman and Darline Graham
The debate begins…
Team of moderators
Darline Graham
Ralph Norman
Greta Preps the crowd
Rhonda Billingsley, Pickens County GOP Chair with Amy
Makenzie Kneece with Ralph Norman
As was customary with most SCGOP-sponsored events, there was a VIP reception beforehand. This one was across the street from the Opera house at Bar Figaro, which provided an impressive array of hors d’oevres.
Amy Potts, Saluda GOP chairman attended with her daughter, Anna, and they enjoyed meeting several other county GOP officers there. Ralph Norman stopped by to chat the VIP attendees. Everyone was hoping for a similar chance to visit with Darline Graham, but she did not come.
The Opera House was filled to capacity and the debate, aired by Newsmax and hosted by Greta VanSusteran, was informative. There were occasional sparks between the candidates, but the questions were substantive and clear differences in the candidates emerged by the end of the evening.
The Saluda County GOP was happy to represent our county, and hope all voters will study the candidates for this important race and get to the polls early or on election day next Tuesday.
If you have have made your choice, take our anonymous Straw Poll here!
