South Carolina GOP Congressman Criticizes Trump After Losing Senate Runoff
Rep. Ralph Norman said Donald Trump's endorsement and late-stage spending in the South Carolina Senate runoff were unexpected, after Norman was defeated by Darline Graham.
Rep. Ralph Norman, who lost the South Carolina Senate runoff to Darline Graham, expressed surprise at President Donald Trump's involvement in the race. Norman told reporters on Capitol Hill that Trump's endorsement and a late-stage $827,000 expenditure by the MAGA Inc. super PAC were "shocking" and he did not understand why Trump intervened in a Republican-on-Republican contest. Graham won with 52.4% of the vote to Norman's 47.6% after Trump held a rally in the state and posted multiple messages urging support for her.
Norman, a longtime Trump ally, said he had not expected the former president to intervene in a primary and noted that the spending occurred just days before the election. He declined to endorse Graham after the result, urging voters to support himself in future elections. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Graham is expected to retain the seat for Republicans, while Norman, who is not seeking reelection to the House after an unsuccessful bid for governor, concluded his remarks by acknowledging the outcome and expressing a willingness to move forward.