President Donald Trump is going all in for South Carolina’s Republican Senate nominee. The congressman she defeated is sitting this one out—and making sure everyone knows why.
Rep. Ralph Norman told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that he will not campaign for Sen. Darline Graham, accusing Trump and powerful interests of trying to impose their preferred candidate on voters.
The public blowup comes one week before Election Day, with Graham facing Democrat Annie Andrews in a race that has become more competitive than Republicans anticipated.
A Primary Fight That Never Ended
Graham defeated Norman in the August Republican runoff after receiving Trump’s endorsement. But the nomination battle has left a lasting split.
In a text message to Fox, Norman accused special interests and the president of spending millions to promote misleading claims about Graham’s qualifications. He argued that South Carolinians should not have to accept a nominee simply because party leaders demand it.
“Elections have consequences,” Norman told the outlet.
According to Fox, Graham’s campaign manager approached Norman’s chief of staff about having the congressman campaign alongside her. Norman declined—and said another request would not change his answer.
There is a distinction between his campaign boycott and his ballot: Fox reported that Norman previously said he would vote for Graham, even though members of his family would not.
Another Blow From Across the Aisle
Andrews, a pediatrician, has also picked up support from two former South Carolina governors who once represented opposing parties.
Republican David Beasley and Democrat Jim Hodges appeared together in an endorsement video released by Andrews’ campaign Monday, WIS reported. Their joint appearance gives Andrews prominent validators outside the usual Democratic campaign lineup.
Norman’s son, Warren, has separately written that he is leaning toward Andrews, according to Fox’s account of his FITSNews opinion piece.
Trump Doubles Down
Republican leaders are pressing ahead with their case for Graham, who was appointed to the Senate following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham.
Fox reported that the Senate Leadership Fund, a political action committee aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, pledged $5 million in advertising for the South Carolina contest.
Trump has also campaigned for Graham, while the Republican National Committee argues that defeating Andrews will unite the party.
But the race has tightened enough for the Cook Political Report to move it from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican,” according to Fox. That leaves Graham favored, with less breathing room.
Trump helped her win the nomination. With the general election approaching, Norman is making clear that delivering the seat will be someone else’s job.
