Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina refused to take a COVID-19 test before Friday's debate with his Democratic challenger, Jaime Harrison, who then pulled out of the event and forced the candidates to do separate television interviews instead.Graham then raised eyebrows when he made comments interpreted by some to mean that blacks and immigrants would only be welcome in the Palmetto State if they adopted conservative political views.The incumbent Republican senator was asked about his views on the racial tensions that have risen nationwide since the May 25 police-involved death of a Minneapolis black man, George Floyd.Graham said he backed police reform and that 'people should pay a price' for what happened to Floyd. GRAHAM'S COMMENTS ABOUT BLACKS AND IMMIGRANTS START AT 42:25 But he then added: 'What is happening in America... is a war on the police itself.'Graham said that he supports both 'reforming the police' and 'having the cops' back.'The senator then said he backed criminal justice reform measures that reduced sentences for convicts sent to prison for nonviolent crime. Share this article Share When asked if he met with Black Lives Matter supporters, Graham responded that he met with pastors and other public officials in the African American community. He then went on to defend police. 'Do I believe that our cops are systemically racist? No. Do I believe that South Carolina is a racist state? No,' Graham said. 'To young people of color, to young immigrants, this is a great state.'Graham then said that African Americans can represent South Carolina in the Senate - but only if they 'share the values of our state.'He mentioned Senator Tim Scott, the only black member of the US Senate, who is also a Republican from South Carolina.Graham then mentioned Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants and the former governor of South Carolina who served as President Trump's ambassador to the United Nations. Haley is considered by many a rising star in the Republican Party who could run for the presidency in 2024. 'It's not about the color of your skin or where you came from,' Graham said. 'It's about ideas.' The senator said he believes he will win because his 'conservative philosophy...fits our state' while Harrison will lose 'because he's aligned with the most liberal people in the country.''I am asking every African-American out there, look at my record,' Graham said, adding that he has historically backed black colleges and universities.'I care about everybody, if you are a young African-American, an immigrant, you can go anywhere in this state, you just need to be conservative, not liberal.' Graham, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee set to cons