Nancy Mace Declines Senate Run and Backs Ralph Norman in South Carolina’s Race to Replace Lindsey Graham

Republican U.S. Representative Nancy Mace announced that she will not seek the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. She subsequently endorsed fellow Republican Rep. Ralph Norman for the Senate seat.

CNN

Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly earlier this month, prompting a special election to fill his six-year term. The South Carolina GOP quickly fielded several candidates: Sen. Darline Graham (Graham’s sister, appointed to finish the term), Rep. Russell Fry, Rep. Ralph Norman, and Rep. Russell Fry (who will also run for re-election to the House). Mace and Norman both lost in the recent GOP gubernatorial primary, where Governor Henry McMaster was the eventual nominee.

CNN

• Early July – Graham’s death becomes public; Mace explores a Senate bid.

Politico

• Later in July – Mace announces she will not run and endorses Norman.

Fox News (website)

• July 21 – Filing period for the Republican special primary opens. [[CNN]]

CNN

• July 28 – Filing period closes (scheduled). [[CNN]]

Politico

• August – Special primary election is set for the first week of the month; a runoff will follow if no candidate reaches 50 % of the vote.

Politico

• Filing window: July 21 – July 28.

Politico

• Candidates officially in the GOP primary: Darline Graham, Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, and Nancy Mace (endorsing, not filing).

CNN

• The primary winner is expected to become the heavy favorite in the November general election.

Politico

• She framed her endorsement of Norman as support for a “proven conservative warrior.”

Fox News (website)

• Ralph Norman said his campaign will focus on advancing President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda and passing the SAVE America Act in the Senate. He also expressed respect for Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham, noting it does not deter his own bid.

CNNFox News (website)

• President Donald Trump met with Darline Graham at the White House and posted on Truth Social urging her to run, signaling his backing of her candidacy.

CNN

• Sen. John Barrasso and Sen. Tim Scott publicly praised Darline Graham, with Scott stating she is “an excellent senator.”

CNN

• Sen. John Thune described Darline Graham as a “strong candidate” and affirmed her right to run despite lacking elected experience.

Fox News (website)

• “This is it. A once-in-a-generation opportunity to send a tried-and-true conservative warrior to the United States Senate,” — Graham. Rep. Nancy Mace

Fox News (website)

• “Now more than ever, South Carolina needs a PROVEN conservative fighter who will stand with President Trump, advance the America First agenda, and help pass the SAVE America Act in the U.S. Senate,” — Rep. Ralph Norman

Fox News (website)

• “Darline Graham is an excellent senator — she’ll continue to be an excellent senator, and she has my full support.” — TIM SCOTT

Fox News (website)

• “I will never hand Hakeem Jeffries that gift,” — Graham. Rep. Nancy Mace

Fox News (website)

• The filing deadline on July 28 will determine the final Republican field.

CNN

• The special primary in August will select the GOP nominee; a runoff is scheduled for late August if no candidate secures a majority.

Politico

• The winner of the primary is expected to be the frontrunner for the full Senate term in the November general election.

Politico