Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman still eyeing runs to replace Lindsey Graham despite Trump snub
· Axios
Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) are both still considering bids for the U.S. Senate despite President Trump endorsing Darline Graham Nordone for a full six-year term.
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Why it matters: A run by either could mean a messy Aug. 11 special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on the general election ballot.
- But Mace is still considering a bid, according to two sources familiar with her thinking, with one telling Axios it would be "political malpractice not to."
- Norman, asked if he is still considering a run, told Axios in a text message: "Yes!!"
Driving the news: Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday that he asked Graham Nordone — the sister of the late senator who Gov. Henry McMaster (R) appointed to finish Graham's term — to run.
- "I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey," the president wrote on Truth Social.
- Graham Nordone did not immediately respond to a text message asking if she plans to run, though Semafor reported she is exploring a run.
Zoom out: Several other Republicans had been seen as potential candidates for the seat, including Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, businessman Mark Lynch and former Rep. Mark Sanford.
- Sanford, who briefly ran for his old U.S. House seat earlier this year, even took the step of converting his campaign to a Senate committee, according to a filing to the Federal Election Commission.
- Mace and Norman both ran for governor this year, finishing fifth and third in the Republican primary, respectively.