Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) on July 18 announced that he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Darline Graham Nordone, following the sudden death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, on July 11.
“It’s official! I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate because we need a fighter who will stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham’s legacy!” Norman wrote on X. “I’ve spent years fighting for the Palmetto State in the state house, in Congress, and now I want to get the SAVE America Act passed in the Senate!”
A special Republican primary will be held on Aug. 11 in South Carolina to select the candidate to face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in the general election on Nov. 3.
On his campaign website, Norman said the country was at a crossroads and that “President Trump needs proven conservative fighters standing with him—not politicians who fold when the pressure comes.”
Ahead of the announcement, conservative Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) announced their endorsements for Norman, their colleague in the House Freedom Caucus.
“Ralph is a conservative fighter who will stand with POTUS and help him deliver on the promises he made to the American people,” Scott said.
Lee said, “Now, more than ever, we need a strong fiscal conservative who understands how important it is that we pass President Donald J. Trump’s agenda for the American people.”
Graham, who was endorsed by Trump, won his June 9 primary with 56.8 percent of the vote. His death triggered the need for the special primary, and candidates have from noon on July 21 through noon on July 28 to file.
If no candidate wins more than 50 percent in the Aug. 11 primary, the two front-runners will advance to a runoff on Aug. 25.
Trump’s Endorsement
“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” Trump said July 17 on Truth Social.
“On behalf of my family and Lindsey’s staff—who have worked tirelessly through their own grief while continuing to serve the people of our state—thank you,” she said. “I’m asking for your prayers.”
Candidate Field
Two other Republicans have announced their intention to run in the Senate primary: attorney Duke Buckner, who has run multiple times for Congress, and businessman Mark Lynch, who lost to Graham in the June primary, placing second with 28.9 percent support behind Graham’s 56.8 percent support.
Norman, 73, was elected to represent South Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District in 2017. He previously spent 11 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He ran unsuccessfully this year for governor of South Carolina.
A lifelong resident of Rock Hill, he has a career outside of politics in commercial real estate development.
Norman has “consistently voted in favor of limited government, individual liberties, and sound financial policies,” according to his U.S. House biography.
