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by WILL FOLKS
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It’s been a whirlwind year for U.S. congressman Ralph Norman – who after coming up short in the race for governor of South Carolina two months ago now finds himself on the precipice of an improbable statewide victory in a race for the U.S. Senate.
Norman – who issued a pivotal endorsement in the GOP gubernatorial runoff election – has emerged as one of the frontrunners to succeed the late U.S. senator Lindsey Graham, whose sudden death last month has kicked off a mad scramble for the spot he held on this fall’s ballot.
Among those vying for the seat? Graham’s own sister, Darline Graham Nordone, and a host of other current and former Palmetto elected officials.
Being on the ballot to replace Graham is the last place Norman thought he would find himself after a hard-fought race for governor.
“I was term limited myself,” Norman told FITSNews. “Regardless of the governor’s race, I was going to get out of out of the House Representatives. I liked it, but eight years is enough. It’s not fair, and I had a good replacement.”
That’s a reference to state senator Wes Climer, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary to replace Norman – and is viewed as a heavy favorite to win the seat Norman currently holds come November.
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During our conversation, I asked Norman about the role of the Freedom Caucus as a disruptor – both nationally and at the state level. He said he see it that way, arguing he and his colleagues were simply asking questions their establishment counterparts didn’t want to – or couldn’t – answer.
“Let me ask you something: when I question the budget, when I question the line item, when I question whether the Speaker of the House is doing the job – tell me how I’m a disruptor?” Norman asked.
Norman said Washington insiders have consistently told him throughout his time in congress that lawmakers have to “go along to get along” if they expect to amount to anything.
“No, you don’t,” he responded. “When it’s wrong, you call it.”
“You have to ask questions, and if you can’t ask a question, that’s the beginning of tyranny,” he added, referring to Freedom Caucus members as “believers who will ask the tough questions, get the answers, do the research (and) do the homework.”
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RELATED | FREEDOM CAUCUS RAISES BUDGET QUESTIONS
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Asked about the blowback that comes with taking principled positions on taxes, spending and other issues, Norman noted “politics is a blood sport.”
“But look at what the founders did,” he said. “Look at the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. They went through far worse than what we’re doing.”
Speaking of blowback, Norman said he felt the gubernatorial candidacy of Lowcountry multi-millionaire Rom Reddy – which cut directly into his base of popular support – was expressly intended to block his path to the governor’s mansion.
“I do think the establishment talked him into something to take my pathway,” Norman said, referring to Reddy. “The powers that be in this state do not want Ralph Norman. I get that.”
Norman and I talked extensively during our conversation about Graham’s legacy, the war in Iran and some of the criticism he’s received from his rivals in this U.S. Senate race.
To watch the full interview for yourself, click here.
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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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