Rep Ralph Norman says he's 'interested' in Graham's Senate seat, lays out priorities before deciding to run

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., stopped short Wednesday of announcing he would run for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat.

Norman gave an interview on Wednesday on FOX Business' "Mornings with Maria," saying "he is interested in the job."

"The reason I'm interested? The Senate is standing in the way of passing President Trump's agenda. They just are. It starts off with the SAVE Act, making sure Americans who are Americans vote in elections," Norman said.

Multiple times throughout the interview, Norman said he would be in favor of getting rid of the filibuster, the Senate procedure that effectively requires 60 votes to advance most legislation.

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"We've got to do whatever it takes to make sure that we have safe elections, make sure our borders are secure, and move forward on it," Norman said. "I think it's going to take blowing up the filibuster, which the Democrats will do if they get back into power."

Norman has not officially announced a campaign in the upcoming special election that will allow voters to choose the Republican nominee for Graham's seat.

"There are a lot of hurdles to get over legally, and that's what will be sorted out," Norman said.

Graham, who served more than 23 years in the Senate, died on Saturday at his Washington, D.C., home just a day after he returned from a trip to Kyiv. Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner indicate that Graham died from an aortic dissection.

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His sister, newly minted Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., was sworn in on Tuesday to serve the remainder of his term, which ends on Jan. 3, 2027. 

The winner of the November general election will be sworn in on that day for a full six-year term. Norman said Darline Graham would do a "great job" in the interim. 

There is less than a month left for prospective candidates to run for the Senate seat. Per South Carolina law, a special Republican primary election will be held on Aug. 11 and candidates can file to run starting on July 21.

If Norman chooses to mount a campaign, it wouldn't be the first time he ran in a special election. 

He first came to Congress in 2017 after running for the seat vacated by Mick Mulvaney when President Donald Trump appointed him as the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

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If Norman chooses to run, one of his opponents will be Mark Lynch, the businessman who lost to Graham in the Republican primary in June.

In a social media post on Monday, Lynch announced his intentions to revive his campaign and run in the upcoming special election.

"Yes, it’s official. I’m committed to finish what God has called us to since February of 2025. To bring the U.S. Senate seat of South Carolina back to TRUE Conservative leadership for the Republican Party," Lynch said in a statement.

Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., may also be a strong contender for Graham's seat, with Trump recently suggesting he may support him.

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"I think Russell Fry, a young congressman, is outstanding, and that could happen. I could see that happening," Trump told Newsmax on Monday night. "I think he’s a very, very talented person."

A source familiar with Fry's planning confirmed to Fox News Digital that the lawmaker had been speaking with White House operatives about a run for the seat.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who lost the South Carolina gubernatorial primary last month, is also considering a run, according to Politico.

Other potential candidates include Mark Sanford, a former South Carolina governor and congressman, and South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.