South Carolina fifth district congressman Ralph Norman will seek the US Senate seat vacated by the death of long-serving incumbent Lindsey Graham, multiple sources familiar with his thinking have confirmed.
Norman, 73, of Rock Hill, S.C., received 80,790 votes in the June 9, 2026 partisan primary election in South Carolina – good for third place. Days later, the Freedom Caucus stalwart issued a pivotal endorsement of S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson – who then decisively defeated lieutenant governor Pamela Evette in the June 23, 2026 head-to-head runoff election.
Special Election Details
A source close to Norman confirmed he was “strongly considering” campaigning for Graham’s seat, while another made it abundantly clear the congressman was running – but didn’t want to say anything publicly so close to Graham’s death.
Would-be candidates face a difficult balance in that regard – needing to plant their flags quickly for an election that’s just 31 days away, but also not wanting to come off as too opportunistic and/or insensitive in the wake of Graham’s passing.
Norman appears to be striking that balance correctly. Now, as for first district congresswoman Nancy Mace (who is also likely to run for the seat)…
S.C. State Election Commission (SCVotes) leaders are reportedly meeting to review relevant statutes related to the forthcoming special election – hoping to release a schedule for the election (and accompanying guidance) as soon as possible.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
