U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman said Saturday he will run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Lindsey Graham, announcing his candidacy during a live interview on Fox News.
Norman, a Republican from Rock Hill who represents South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, told host Kayleigh McEnany he intends to enter the special election for the seat.
“I’m here to announce that I will be a candidate for the Senate,” Norman said. “I’ll be throwing my hat in the ring.”
The 5th District covers much of York County, including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Clover and York.
What Norman Said He Would Do
Norman built his announcement around President Donald Trump’s agenda and said he would begin working on it immediately if elected.
“Day one, Kayleigh, I will be laser focused on passing President Trump’s America First, and it starts with the Save America Act,” Norman said.
He also said he would support eliminating the Senate filibuster, the procedural rule requiring 60 votes to advance most legislation.
“We’ll nuke the filibuster, and I will be a vocal, a vocal vote, and a supporter to make this happen,” Norman said. “And it’s not happening in the Senate right now. That’s why I’m doing it.”
Asked directly whether he would run, Norman opened by describing Graham as a figure of long standing in South Carolina politics.
“The next senator will replace Lindsey Graham, who’s been an icon,” he said.
Source: Fox News interview with U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman conducted by Kayleigh McEnany, Saturday, July 18, 2026
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
