Key facts
- Rep. Ralph Norman is running for the South Carolina Senate seat.
- Sens. Mike Lee and Rick Scott have announced their support for Norman.
- Donald Trump has endorsed Darline Graham for the special election.
- Darline Graham was appointed to serve the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham's term.
- The South Carolina special primary is set for August 11.
Rep. Ralph Norman has announced his intention to run for the South Carolina Senate seat, securing early endorsements from Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott. Lee stated that the country needs a "strong fiscal conservative" to advance President Donald J. Trump’s agenda.
The race for the seat, previously held by Lindsey Graham, has seen several Republicans vying for the position following Graham's recent passing. Other names floated include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Reps. Nancy Mace and Russell Fry. However, Donald Trump has publicly backed Darline Graham, who was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to serve out her brother's remaining term and sworn in on Tuesday.
Trump expressed his full support for Darline Graham on Truth Social, urging her to run for the full six-year term. He noted her status as a "WINNER" and stated she "WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN." Darline Graham has indicated interest in campaigning for the full term but has not yet officially announced her candidacy.
Norman could face significant challenges in the primary without Trump's endorsement, given that 97 percent of Trump-endorsed candidates have won their primaries this election cycle. The special primary election in South Carolina is scheduled for August 11, with a possible runoff on August 25.