GOP Rep Ralph Norman enters race to replace late-Lindsey Graham as South Carolina senator

Norman promised to continue Graham's legacy and stand with President Donald Trump if elected in November.

Published: July 18, 2026 12:42pm

Updated: July 18, 2026 1:51pm

South Carolina GOP Rep. Ralph Norman announced Saturday that he is officially running in a special election next month to replace the late-Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on the ballot in November. 

Graham, who won the Republican nomination for Senate earlier this year, died unexpectedly last week at the age of 71. His office said funerals for the senator will take place on July 28 in Washington, D.C., and July 29 in South Carolina.

Norman promised to continue Graham's legacy and stand with President Donald Trump if elected in November.

"I'm running for the United States Senate because our country is at a crossroads," Norman said in a note to voters. "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 told Fox News that if he was elected to the Senate, then he would be focused on passing the president's legislative agenda, including the SAVE America Act and would help "nuke" the Senate's filibuster.

The announcement comes after Trump endorsed Graham's sister Darline Graham Nordone, who has been appointed to serve out the remainder of her brother's term. 

Other possible contenders include South Carolina's Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and GOP Rep. Nancy Mace. The special election to determine who will appear on the ballot is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage. 

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