Longtime GOP Congressman Enters Primary Race To Replace Lindsey Graham

U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) announced Saturday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Sen. Lindsey Graham. Graham, who had represented South Carolina in the Senate since 2003, died unexpectedly on July 11 at the age of 71.

“For years, Senator Lindsey Graham fought hard to save America and defend South Carolina. Now, President (Donald) Trump needs another proven America First conservative in the US Senate to deliver on those America First priorities,” Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, posted on X before formally announcing during an interview with Fox News.

“I’m here to announce that I will be a candidate for the Senate, I’ll be throwing my hat into the ring, and day one, Kayleigh, I will be laser-focused on passing President Trump’s America First agenda,” the congressman told host Kayleigh McEnany. He went on to state that the SAVE America Act — a landmark election integrity bill that has become President Trump’s top legislative priority — would be the first item on the agenda should he be elected.

Norman, who has represented South Carolina’s 5th congressional district since 2017 and had been a candidate for governor in 2026, is not seeking re-election to the House this cycle.

It’s official! I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate because we need a fighter who will stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham’s legacy! I’ve spent years fighting for the Palmetto State in the state house, in Congress, and now I…

— Ralph Norman (@RalphNorman) July 18, 2026

On July 13, two days after Senator Graham passed away, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve as interim U.S. senator. She was sworn in the following day and will serve out the remainder of her brother’s term, which is set to expire in January.

Because Graham died after securing the Republican nomination in the June 9 primary, but before the general election, South Carolina law requires a special process to select a replacement nominee for the November 3 general election ballot.

The special filing period for Republican candidates is open from noon on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, to noon on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The filing period is limited to Republican Party candidates.

A statewide special Republican primary will then be held on Tuesday, August 11. Early voting for the special primary runs from Wednesday, August 5, to Friday, August 7.

Voters eligible for the August 11 special primary include those who participated in the June Republican primary or did not vote in either party’s June primary. Voters who participated in the June Democratic primary are not eligible.If no candidate receives a majority in the August 11 primary, a runoff will occur on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Early voting for a potential runoff is scheduled for August 19–21.

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