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by WILL FOLKS
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This media outlet has repeatedly chronicled the extent to which South Carolina multi-millionaire Rom Reddy betrayed the Palmetto State’s conservative movement during the 2026 partisan primary election cycle – doing untold damage to the causes of limited government, lower taxes and more personal freedom in the process.
Specifically, we called out the former DOGE SC leader for abandoning a robust reform movement aimed at reshaping the all-powerful legislative branch of government so he could mount a Quixotic candidacy for governor – one that failed miserably.
“In addition to splitting the fiscal conservative, pro-reform vote in the governor’s race, Reddy’s abandonment of his once-formidable DOGE SC organization left numerous legislative wins on the table,” I noted following Reddy’s fourth-place finish in the June 2026 GOP primary election. “As such, a golden opportunity to expand the ranks of pro-freedom, pro-free market leaders at the S.C. State House – which is currently controlled by trial lawyers – was squandered.”
Needless to say, this squandered opportunity has already created plenty of adverse consequences for taxpayers (see here and here)… with more likely to come.
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Not content with sabotaging the very causes he claims to support, Reddy is now fully on the warpath against the conservative wing of the GOP – specifically going after those disinclined to support interim U.S. senator Darline Graham Nordone in this fall’s general election.
In a rambling social media post on Wednesday morning (September 2, 2026), the diminutive Indian-Italian unloaded on supporters of U.S. congressman Ralph Norman – whom Nordone narrowly defeated in last week’s Republican runoff for the GOP senatorial nomination.
Many Norman backers simply cannot bring themselves to support Nordone, who in addition to being glaringly unqualified for the job has a troubling history as a left-of-center bureaucrat.
As we reported earlier this week, numerous Norman supporters say they will write in his name on this fall’s ballot – an electoral protest which could conceivably benefit the candidacy of über-liberal Democrat Annie Andrews. Reddy ripped these “write-in warriors” in no uncertain terms – accusing Norman of “openly violating South Carolina law” in encouraging them.
To be clear: Norman initially signaled his support for a write-in candidacy but has since backtracked and said he does not condone it – adding he will be supporting Nordone over Andrews in the fall.
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RELATED | SCGOP SCHISM IS GETTING SERIOUS
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Despite this, Reddy is still urging S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson – who defeated both him and Norman in the GOP gubernatorial primary election this June – to meet with SCGOP chairman Drew McKissick to discuss filing criminal charges against the congressman and his allies.
Reddy specifically asked the Palmetto State’s top prosecutor to “pursue charges” against Norman – as well as and those who “amplify” the idea of a write-in campaign against Nordone.
Among those Reddy apparently believes should be considered for criminal prosecution? This media outlet…
“Maybe AG Wilson or Drew McKissi(c)k, as party chairman, should discuss this matter and pursue charges against Ralph and news outlets like FITS and other leaders who appear to amplify this message without a counterpoint that it involves breaking state law,” Reddy wrote in his post.
Wow…
Reddy went on to say he hoped Wilson wouldn’t be dissuaded from taking action against Norman and his supporters simply because the congressman endorsed him during his runoff election against lieutenant governor Pamela Evette.
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“Ralph endorsing you during the primary should not buy him immunity against breaking the law,” Reddy wrote, adding that Wilson should “speak up when laws are broken.”
“Don’t be silent because you are afraid of the consequences,” Reddy added.
What in the world, right?
Reddy’s transformation from ostensible conservative reformer to pro-establishment bully is positively Damascene (albeit in reverse). It’s also tremendously disappointing – and objectively dangerous. Whatever one thinks of their political rivals, calling on them to be criminally prosecuted simply for encouraging others to vote their conscience is definitionally anti-American.
FITSNews has yet to issue an endorsement in the 2026 general election – which will feature Nordone, Andrews, Libertarian Kasie Whitener and Constitution Party candidate Mark Hackett. Irrespective of which candidate we wind up supporting, though, it should go without saying South Carolinians are free to choose any of the candidates on the ballot – or write in the name of any candidate they choose.
Including Ralph Norman’s name…
In fact, Reddy’s contemptible suggestion that Norman and his allies should be prosecuted for pointing out this fundamental freedom is likely to put more wind in the sails of the ‘Write-in Ralph’ movement.
Whatever happens, count on FITSNews to keep tabs on the worsening Republican civil war in South Carolina…
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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8 comments
So maybe I missed it, what exactly is Mr. Nobodyimportant saying that Norman is guilty of? Write in voting is perfectly legal in South Carolina except for in presidential votes or primaries. It is, in theory, illegal to encourage people to vote for yourself by writing in, according to S.C. Code of Laws Section 7-11-210, but that is probably unConstitutional as write in balloting has been a valid method of political protest and electioneering in the US. Our own Ol’Strom won his senate seat in a landslide by starting a write in campaign just 2 months before the election – he’s the only senator to accomplish such a feat.
I’ll bring the popcorn.
“He was holding on too tight, and lost the edge…turned in his wings.” This guy has descended into being a petty little Teapot Napolean, desperate for attention.
A “Top Gun” quote!! I love it, Mr. Catfish – well said.
Fascists having yet another normal one.
Attorney General Alan Wilson doesn’t prosecute Trumpians, like Ralph Norman. He only persecutes Democrats.
I’ve been wanting to write this since I noticed your obsession with calling Rom Reddy “diminutive” and “Indian Italian” but hoped to wait until my initial anger at you, FITS, cooled; but it only grew.
So, in your 50’s, have you not learned or become too civilized to ridicule a physical trait of someone?
For heaven’s sake, Will, you have a son “on the spectrum.” How would you like it if his play pals OR SIBLINGS called him “retard” for example?
You’re a father, and of no less than eight. When will you learn that everything you do, say, or write affects your children by example, by osmosis, or by omission?
Besides, what does being short or tall or average height prove about any human being or about any position they advocate?
And when will you learn that a naturalized citizen IS an American?
And what are you so angry about any way? You were always clearly in Alan Wilson’s corner. He is is the Republican nominee for SC Governor. How did Rom Reddy’s candidacy harm YOU or Alan Wilson?
Perhaps, but highly doubtfully, Rom Reddy siphoned off votes from Ralph Norman, who you belatedly support. But what difference does that make if Alan Wilson won at the end? And how can you blame Ralph Norman’s senate primary loss on Ron Reddy, who was not even in that race?
Why can’t you face the fact that Darline is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from SC, that she is not NOW just an “interim” senator but a full-fledged U.S. Senator equal to the other 99, and that your duty is to help evolve her, not ridicule her and her well-wishers?
Again, you’re a father of eight. Behave and speak like a decent adult, not like a spoilt child who lashes out at whomever does not do the child’s bidding.
“Ralph Norman, whom you belatedly support,” not “Norman, who”
Typos, typos, typos!