NEW: Conservative Congressman Announces Run For Governor

One of the most conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives announced Friday that he will be jumping in the South Carolina gubernatorial race in 2026 as current Governor Henry McMaster is term-limited.

Rep. Ralph Norman, a longtime member of the House Freedom Caucus and staunch ally of former Governor Nikki Haley, is expected to file his candidacy paperwork with state officials on Friday, his campaign told The Associated Press. A formal launch event is planned for Sunday in Rock Hill, which is in Norman’s district, according to a report from Newsmax.

Norman has long been mulling a bid for the state’s highest office, and has at times been linked to a potential primary challenge to Senator Lindsey Graham, though the congressman has never offered an official comment on that possibility. Norman, 72, is expected to run a rather unorthodox campaign by opting not to seek the endorsement of President Donald Trump, the most coveted endorsement in Republican politics that often propels candidates to victory

The congressman joins a somewhat crowded Republican primary field that includes Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is also expected to announce her campaign in the near future.

In terms of policy, Norman has long backed the president’s agenda. He voted against both Trump impeachment efforts during his first term, voted not to certify the results of the controversial 2020 election and has voted in favor of all the president’s signature pieces of legislation. This includes the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill after Norman and a number of his Freedom Caucus colleagues initially expressed skepticism.

In 2024, Norman was one of only two U.S. House members to back former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary. The congressman frequently appeared with Haley on the campaign trail before she suspended her campaign not long after failing to win the primary race in her home state.

Both Haley and Norman were first elected to the South Carolina State House in 2004 and soon became legislative allies. When asked why he decided to support for campaign, Norman argued that Haley could serve two terms as opposed to just one from President Trump.

Former Senator Jim DeMint noted that Norman’s past support for Haley could provide an obstacle to his campaign, though he ultimately argued that the conservative lawmaker is best equipped to lead the Palmetto State.

“He’s not afraid of Trump — although he’s done a lot to get the Trump agenda through — but he’s not going to respond to intimidation from anyone,” DeMint told the AP. “Trump will probably hold it against Ralph for endorsing Nikki, but, just like Trump, Ralph is very loyal.”