---
title: "Wilson, Khalifa Take Student Questions in Lexington Debate"
url: https://www.herelexington.com/2026/10/20/wilson-khalifa-sc-2-congressional-debate-lexington/
date: 2026-10-20T05:35:15-04:00
modified: 2026-10-20T05:35:15-04:00
author: "Clarissa Christian"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Lexington"
attribution: "HERE Lexington"
---

# Wilson, Khalifa Take Student Questions in Lexington Debate

> LEXINGTON, S.C. — Students at River Bluff High School in Lexington ran the questioning Monday as U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican, and Democratic nominee Zyon Khalifa made their cases for the 2nd Congressional District seat on the first day of early voting. Student government leaders and River Bluff's Center for Law and Global Policy

*Source: [HERE Lexington](https://www.herelexington.com/2026/10/20/wilson-khalifa-sc-2-congressional-debate-lexington/) — October 20, 2026 by Clarissa Christian*

LEXINGTON, S.C. — Students at River Bluff High School in Lexington ran the questioning Monday as U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican, and Democratic nominee Zyon Khalifa made their cases for the 2nd Congressional District seat on the first day of early voting.

Student government leaders and River Bluff’s Center for Law and Global Policy Development organized the event, which ran about an hour. The district takes in parts of Lexington, Richland, Aiken, Orangeburg and Barnwell counties.

Wilson, in Congress since 2001, leaned on his record, citing tax relief, more domestic energy, border enforcement and a stronger military. He blamed high prices mostly on federal overspending and on energy limits, and faulted the Biden administration for stopping the Keystone XL pipeline.

Khalifa, a lawyer and Air Force veteran who grew up in Aiken, said families are squeezed by food, fuel, housing and medical bills. He backed hiring more immigration judges, called addiction a disease that needs treatment, and said the state’s choice not to expand Medicaid has made care harder to reach in rural areas.

The two did agree on some points, including tighter border security and urging young people to get involved in civic life.