Ralph Norman set to join South Carolina governor's race
South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman (R) is expected to file is candidacy Friday to become his state's next governor.
'America has a businessman in the White House, and I believe we need a businessman as Governor of South Carolina,' a statement on Norman's campaign website reads.
'I have a vision for South Carolina – one where we fix our roads, improve our schools, and get South Carolina prepared for a tremendous opportunity. But that won't happen if we don't fix a system that is rotten to its core. I am running for Governor to shake things up, clean up Columbia, and knock down the corrupt political establishment once and for all,' he added.
While in Congress, Norman, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has supported President Trump's push to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts from higher education and the government, decrease federal spending and impose tougher policies on immigration.
Although Norman has helped champion the president's agenda, during last year's campaign, he backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R). She was the last of Trump's GOP challengers to bow out from the race.
Haley and Norman served alongside each other in the state House beginning in 2005 and have remained allies since.
Haley has not yet shared who she will endorse in South Carolina's gubernatorial race as Norman gears up for a packed GOP primary with state Attorney General Alan Wilson and state Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette as challengers. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has teased a bid.
'We wish Congressman Ralph Norman the best of luck today as he announces his run for Governor,' Mace said in a Friday statement on X.
The state's current leader, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) is term-limited and will complete his tenure in 2026.
Updated at 6:23 p.m. EDT July 27.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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