GOP Congressman Slams Trump for 'Forcing' Senate Candidate on South Carolina Voters

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., has publicly stated he will not support Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham in the upcoming election, accusing former President Donald Trump of attempting to "force" his hand-picked candidate onto South Carolina voters. Norman, who lost to Graham in a runoff for the GOP nomination earlier this year, told Fox News Digital that he has no plans to assist Graham in the final week before Election Day.

"The voters in S.C. are not buying the argument that everyone has to ‘settle’ for a candidate that has been propped up by special interest groups and a Republican president spending millions of dollars spreading false narratives about why Darlene [sic] Graham is qualified to be elected to the U.S. Senate for the next six years," Norman stated via text message. He added that the general election is characterized by "attempts to ‘force’ a candidate on the voters of S.C.," and that the outcome "didn’t have to be this way as the great people living in South Carolina deserve ‘better!!’"

![A split image of President Donald Trump and Rep. Ralph Norman]( "Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., is accusing President Donald Trump of trying to "force" a Senate candidate on South Carolinians. Norman lost the GOP primary for the open Senate seat to Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C.")

Norman's refusal to campaign for Graham comes despite pressure from within the Republican party, including from Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., who lost his own bid for the nomination. Fry urged Norman to "step into the arena" to support Graham. The Republican National Committee, however, maintains party unity, with spokeswoman Emma Hall stating that "Republicans are unified on beating Annie Andrews" and that "Democrats’ socialism has no place in South Carolina."

Graham, appointed to replace her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is facing a closer-than-expected race against Democrat Annie Andrews. Election forecasters at The Cook Political Report recently shifted the contest from 'Likely Republican' to 'Lean Republican.'

Trump has actively campaigned for Graham, holding a rally in Clemson, S.C., last week. During the rally, Trump urged voters to support Graham, calling her a "high-quality person" who would be "great."

The Senate Leadership Fund, aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has pledged $5 million in ad spending to support Graham's candidacy. However, the race has seen some prominent figures endorse Graham's opponent, Annie Andrews, including former South Carolina governors David Beasley (R) and Jim Hodges (D).

Even Norman's son, Warren Norman, penned an op-ed expressing his support for Andrews, stating he was leaning towards voting for the Democrat for the first time in his life, citing a lack of a "true conservative to vote for" in the election.