Rep. Ralph Norman says he will not support Trump-endorsed Senate candidate Darline Graham
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South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman announced he will not campaign for or endorse Darline Graham, accusing President Trump of trying to impose her on voters ahead of the Senate race.
Republican U.S. Representative Ralph Norman said he will not assist Darline Graham in the final week before the South Carolina Senate election, alleging that President Donald Trump is attempting to force his preferred candidate on voters. Norman, who lost to Graham in the GOP primary runoff, told Fox News Digital via text that "the voters in S.C. are not buying the argument that everyone has to ‘settle’ for a candidate that has been propped up by special interest groups and a Republican president spending millions of dollars spreading false narratives about why Darlene Graham is qualified to be elected to the U.S. Senate for the next six years."
Norman added that the general election "is about attempts to ‘force’ a candidate on the voters of S.C. and regardless of the outcome, it didn’t have to be this way as the great people living in South Carolina deserve ‘better!!’" and concluded, "Elections have consequences."
Despite pressure from other House Republicans, including Rep. Russell Fry, Norman said he declined a request from Graham’s campaign manager to campaign with her. The Republican National Committee spokeswoman Emma Hall said the party remains unified behind Graham, noting President Trump’s support.
Trump recently held a rally in Clemson, South Carolina, and the Senate Leadership Fund pledged $5 million for advertising in the state. The Cook Political Report moved the race from "Likely Republican" to "Lean Republican" after the rally.
Norman’s son, Warren, wrote an op-ed stating he is leaning toward Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, marking his first potential vote for a Democrat in a partisan election.
When asked for comment, the White House referred reporters to Trump’s rally remarks urging voters to support Graham and the Republican ticket.