Sen. Darline Graham, the newly appointed Republican Senate candidate in South Carolina, has made confronting China a central theme of her campaign—echoing the hard‑line stance of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. But company records and trade data show her husband, Larry Nordone, holds management roles in businesses that rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing, raising questions about potential contradictions between her rhetoric and her family’s business ties.
🔹 Graham’s Anti‑China Message
In an August interview, Graham argued the U.S. must “manufacture more here” and “stop depending on Communist China,” positioning herself as a champion of reshoring and supply‑chain security.
She is battling Democrat Annie Andrews for the seat she assumed after Lindsey Graham’s death in July. The two will meet for their only scheduled debate on Sunday.
🔹 Husband’s Roles in China‑Dependent Companies
Graham’s husband, Larry Nordone, 59, works as director of customer service at two Columbia‑based companies:
- Cosmox North America, a licensed firearms importer
- Birchwood Trading, a seller of John Deere‑related gift products and other goods
Both companies rely extensively on Chinese imports. Birchwood Trading has sourced more than 97% of its shipping containers from China since 2013, according to ImportGenius research.
Cosmox North America imports gel‑blaster toy guns from Zhongzhou Machinery Works (ZZM), a Chinese manufacturer that previously advertised ties to major state‑owned weapons companies such as Norinco and Poly Technologies. After reporters asked about these connections, ZZM removed references to its defense‑industry relationships from its website, calling the information outdated.
🔹 Financial Disclosure Questions
Graham’s Senate financial disclosure lists only Birchwood Trading as her husband’s income source, omitting Cosmox North America—even though Nordone holds roles at both companies. A prior South Carolina disclosure form also listed only Birchwood. Her campaign says Nordone is paid solely by Birchwood and has no ownership stake in either company.
Both companies share the same Columbia headquarters address, and their CEO, Louie Harrison, is listed in state filings as the manager of Cosmox North America. Harrison did not respond to requests for comment.
🔹 Updated Claims From the Chinese Manufacturer
ZZM’s website previously described “military‑grade” production capabilities and expertise in weapons such as pistols, grenade launchers, and infantry arms. After inquiries, ZZM removed these descriptions and denied current ties to Chinese defense contractors. Cosmox Outdoors, the parent company, also updated its site.
🔹 Graham’s Background and Foreign‑Policy Experience
Before entering politics, Graham spent her career in disability services, including leading the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. She married Nordone in 2006.
Her foreign‑policy experience has been questioned. During an August GOP debate, she struggled to answer whether Taiwan represents a U.S. national security concern, saying: “I’m not that informed on national security.”
Her brother Lindsey Graham was one of the Senate’s most vocal China hawks, advocating a stronger U.S. presence in the Indo‑Pacific to deter Beijing.
🔹 Campaign Response
Graham’s spokeswoman did not directly address whether her husband’s business ties conflict with her anti‑China stance, saying only that Graham supports South Carolina manufacturers and wants China held accountable for unfair trade practices.
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