U.S. Rep. Norman, previous congressional challengers, join Senate race to replace Graham
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman will compete for the open Republican nomination for a chance at the U.S. Senate, a position left vacant by the sudden death of longtime lawmaker Lindsey Graham.
He joins former Senate candidate Mark Lynch, an Upstate businessman, and Duke Buckner in the race, though others have been reportedly considering.
“South Carolina has always been a rock-solid conservative stronghold, and at this critical moment we MUST SEND A PROVEN AMERICA FIRST FIGHTER to the U.S. Senate to help President Trump,” Norman said in a news release.
Norman, 73, has served in the U.S. House since 2017, representing the 5th Congressional District. He was not running for reelection after losing the open South Carolina governor primary in June. He finished third in the June 9 Republican primary for governor.
He is a member of the U.S. House Freedom Caucus, a hard-right coalition of lawmakers and has allies in the state’s House Freedom Caucus.
Before his election to congress, Norman was a real estate developer. He represents portions of the Midlands and Upstate, including Kershaw and York counties.
The special primary election to replace U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham as the GOP nominee in the November general election is scheduled for Aug. 11. Filing for that contest opens Tuesday, July 21 at noon and closes one week later.
The winner of the speedy special election will go up against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November.
Graham died suddenly Saturday, July 11 of an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a preliminary report from the medical examiner of the District of Columbia. His sister, Darline Graham, has been appointed to fill out his term until January.
Norman announced his campaign following a snub from U.S. President Donald Trump, whose support Bloomberg Government reported he was seeking.
Trump encouraged Darline Graham to run for a full six-year term Friday. Before he launched a campaign, Sens. Rick Scott, R-Florida, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, endorsed Norman in social media posts.
Former congressional challengers join
Lynch, who previously challenged Graham in the June primary, will try again for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate after pouring $5 million of his on fortune into the bid.
He received nearly 29% of the June primary vote and finished first in Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Lynch often aligned with the “America First” flank of the Republican Party.
“I’m committed to finish what God has called us to since February of 2025,” Lynch posted on X earlier this week. “To bring the U.S. Senate seat of South Carolina back to TRUE Conservative leadership for the Republican party.”
Duke Buckner, who formerly challenged U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn in the 6th Congressional District, also announced a campaign for U.S. Senate, according to a website and a fundraising committee filing.
“This campaign is about bringing people together around common goals: Lower costs. Better jobs. Affordable homes. Responsible government. Protecting our freedoms,” Buckner website reads.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated
This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 11:52 AM with the headline "U.S. Rep. Norman, previous congressional challengers, join Senate race to replace Graham."