Mace snubs Trump's preferred Senate candidate, backs Ralph Norman instead
FIRST ON FOX: A key South Carolina Republican is breaking from President Donald Trump in the race to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is planning to...
By Fox News · Fox News
FIRST ON FOX: A key South Carolina Republican is breaking from President Donald Trump in the race to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is planning to endorse her colleague and former foe in the race to be South Carolina’s governor, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., in what is shaping up to be a messy snap election in the Palmetto State. "This is it. A once-in-a-generation opportunity to send a tried-and-true conservative warrior to the United States Senate," Mace said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Ralph Norman doesn't bend, doesn't break, and doesn't back down." NANCY MACE REVEALS SENATE DECISION AS LINDSEY GRAHAM'S SISTER REDRAWS THE RACE "He's fought the swamp, fought reckless spending, and fought for South Carolina at every turn," she continued. "If you want a proven conservative with a 100% conservative voting record, Ralph Norman is the man. I'm all in, and South Carolina should be too." Her endorsement comes after she announced her decision not to run, and will come as the weeklong filing period for the special election, which is scheduled for Aug. 11, opens up. Mace isn’t the only lawmaker backing Norman’s candidacy, which he announced over the weekend after asking Trump for his endorsement. Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, have also thrown their endorsement power behind him, noting their shared commitment to passing the SAVE America Act as a key factor in their support. REPUBLICANS DEFY TRUMP, JUMP INTO SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE DESPITE HIS HANDPICKED SUCCESSOR Norman said in a statement to Fox News Digital that he was "honored," to score Mace’s endorsement in the race. "Now more than ever, South Carolina needs a PROVEN conservative fighter who will stand with President Trump, advance the America First agenda, and help pass the SAVE America Act in the U.S. Senate," Norman said. Meanwhile, Graham, who was considered to be a placeholder for the remainder of her late brother’s term, is all-in on running for a full,…