CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman announced Saturday he is running for the U.S. Senate, becoming one of the first major Republicans to enter the race for the seat once held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Norman, who represents South Carolina's 5th Congressional District, announced his campaign in a social media post, saying he wants to "represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate" and pledged to support President Donald Trump's agenda while carrying on Graham's legacy.
"We need a fighter who will stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham's legacy," Norman wrote. "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."
The Republican lawmaker directed supporters to his campaign website and urged them to join his campaign.
"I'm running for the United States Senate because our country is at a crossroads," Norman wrote on his campaign website. "President Trump needs proven conservative fighters standing with him – not politicians who fold when the pressure comes. Washington doesn't need more talkers. It needs people who will do exactly what they told the voters they'd do."
Norman had been considering a Senate bid since Graham's death on Saturday, July 11, and previously said he would decide after speaking with Trump, according to reports from Bloomberg Government.
Graham died at 71 from a tear in his artery, according to preliminary findings from a medical examiner.
Norman's campaign enters what is expected to be a fascinating special Republican primary to determine who will succeed Graham. Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to serve the remainder of the late senator's term, and President Trump has endorsed her for the seat. Other prominent Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who represents the 1st Congressional District, have also weighed bids.
Norman has represented South Carolina's 5th Congressional District since 2017 after serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He ran for the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina in June, finishing third and endorsing South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who went on to defeat Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the party's primary runoff election.
The filing period for the Republican special primary begins on July 21 and ends on July 28.