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Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) on Tuesday endorsed fellow Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), breaking with President Trump.
“Ralph Norman is a tried and true conservative. He doesn’t bend, he doesn’t back down, and nothing can break him,” Mace said while appearing with Norman on the steps of the Capitol on Tuesday. “He’s been fighting against reckless spending, fighting against regulations, and fighting for every South Carolinian across the state in his term in Congress, and I am proud to endorse my friend today.”
Norman thanked Mace, saying: “She’s been a voice for freedom. She’s been a voice for fiscal responsibility.”
Trump had backed Graham’s sister to be appointed to replace him in the Senate after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death. Now-Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) was sworn in last week to fill the remainder of the term that ends on Jan. 3, but it was unclear if she would seek a full six-year term that is up for election this year.
After Trump urged her to seek the full term, Darline Graham announced on Fox News on Monday that she would do so.
Despite Trump’s preference, several other Republicans have jumped into the race to replace the late senator as the Republican nominee for the full six-year term that starts next year.
Norman said that while he would “love to have the president’s endorsement,” he welcomes all entrants into the race.
“Darlene’s got every right to serve. She has courage,” Norman said.
Rep. Russel Fry (R-S.C.) also announced on Monday he would run for the seat.
Mace, though, said that Fry was jeopardizing Republican control of the House because his win could create a temporary vacancy for his seat next year.
“Under South Carolina law, if you are currently serving and running for re-election, you can run for two offices at the same time, but you cannot serve in two offices at the same time,” Mace said. “So, if Russell Fry files and he wins, for example, that Republican seat would be vacated until May of next year, potentially handing the speaker’s gavel to Hakeem Jeffries.”
“I can think of nothing more egotistical than a Republican running for the U.S. Senate to give Democrat Hakeem Jeffries a leadership position as Speaker. He should not be running. I think it’s a huge risk to the party,” Mace said.
Mace had considered running for the seat, but on Monday said she decided against it as she focuses on “unfinished business” in the House focusing on issues surrounding sexual assault.
Mace and Norman both ran for governor of South Carolina, but neither secured the nomination earlier this year.
Both have some bad blood with Trump: Norman had endorsed his friend former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley in the presidential primary against Trump in 2024, and Mace had defied Trump’s wishes by being one of four Republicans to sign a discharge petition to release files about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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