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Conservative Freedom Caucus lawmakers are launching his campaign to become governor of South Carolina.
Rep. Ralph Norman, who came to Congress in 2017, began bidding for the Palmetto State at a Rock Hill Campaign rally on Sunday.
“I’m running to shake things up, clean up Colombia and ultimately defeat the corrupt political establishment,” Norman told voters. “I owes nothing to the lobbyists, I owes nothing to the bureaucratic elites of Columbia. My loyalty is to you, to the people of South Carolina.”
As part of his campaign platform, Norman has pledged to establish a “Government Efficiency Office” (DOGE) “Committee” in the state’s “waste, fraud and abuse routes” “the country.”
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Rep. Ralph Norman, Rs.C. will launch a Governor’s campaign on Sunday (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Getty Images via Inc.)
Norman also keeps his promise to amend South Carolina’s infrastructure, implement period restrictions for state legislators, tort reform and “make people vote for judges.”
Currently, the majority of South Carolina state judges are decided by the General Assembly. Several positions, including magistrates, are appointed by the governor.
Norman also promises to “use a bully’s pulpit to bring my case directly to people” and “use a rejection pen.”
His campaign speech also touches on socially conservative goals, such as defending school choices and limiting school bathrooms by gender at birth.
“And if it all goes wrong, I’m saying that now, “the Republican ‘Reno’ lawmakers don’t deserve to be in office, representing the reforms people are looking for.
Norman is taking part in a major Republican field that was crowded with Sunday’s announcement. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Col. Pamela Evett and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell are also participating in the race.
Meanwhile, Norman House colleague Rep. Nancy Mace (Rs.C.) is also said to be considering a campaign for the governor.
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Current Governor Henry McMaster is on a limited time period (State/Tribune News Service by Joshua Boucher/Getty Images)
And with President Donald Trump winning nearly 20 points in 2024, the commander’s support will be important in both the first and general elections.
In his speech, Norman pointed out that both he and Trump have real estate backgrounds. Both men led a development company founded by their father.
“We need business leaders who signed both the front and back of their pay, and we also need people who built something, took risks, made money, and yes, lost money,” Norman said. “Thankfully, we have great businessmen and fellow developers back to the White House! See what President Trump has done in six months.”
He also threw himself “as a vandal who helped move the needle by making our budget more conservative, in relation to the promotion of home freedom to move Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” to the right.
And while the group managed to do it in the House, the Senate watered down some of those victories in the meantime, considering the bill. The Senate version eventually passed the House, with Norman and other members of the Freedom Caucus voted with support.
“Some people say I have a reputation for being uncompromising and always wanting to make the bill more conservative,” says Norman’s speech. “Well, I take it as a compliment and I’m proud of it.”
As a member of Congress, Norman is on the House Committee on Financial Services, the House Budget Committee and the House Rules Committee.
President Donald Trump’s support is important in the race (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Norman’s longtime ally of former South Carolina Governor Nicky Haley was the only House Republican to formally support Haley before she dropped out of the race. Norman then supported Trump.
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He spoke to Fox News Digital in January 2024 about his support. “When I supported Nikki Haley, I respected Donald Trump to call him, what I was going to do with him, and I decided to do it.”
It is noteworthy, however, that Norman has been a supporter of Trump’s voice since Haley’s exit. And unlike other home Free Caucus allies, he did not suffer Trump’s wrath due to his loyalty to Haley.
He was recently at the White House earlier this week, with other House Republicans in a reception to celebrate the success of legislative legislation.
The South Carolina Governor General Election will take place in November 2026.
Elizabeth Elkind is the main reporter of Fox News Digital’s reporting in the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen on Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow me on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to Elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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