Latest news with #NikkiHaley
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Ralph Norman launches bid for South Carolina governor
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) announced Sunday he's launching a bid to succeed term-limited South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R), making him the latest Republican to throw his hat in the mix. 'I've seen way too many corrupt politicians in Columbia, S.C., looking out for themselves and not for you. And in Washington, I've seen career politicians who care more about their next election than they do securing our future generations,' Norman told supporters in Rock Hill, S.C. 'We do not need more career politician folks or lawyers running government,' he continued. 'We need business leaders, people who have signed the front of a paycheck and people who have signed the back of a paycheck, folks who have built something, taken risk, made money, yes, and lost money.' Norman joins several other prominent Republicans in launching a bid for South Carolina governor. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell have also announced campaigns to succeed McMaster. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is expected to make a decision on whether to run for governor soon. Nikki Haley, a former United Nations ambassador who also served as South Carolina governor, and former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) have endorsed Norman in the race. Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has also backed Norman. While the House Freedom Caucus member praised President Trump in his remarks, the question of whom the president endorses in the race still looms. Norman endorsed Haley in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, later getting behind Trump once the former U.N. ambassador dropped out of the race. But Trump places a lot of weight on loyalty and has been unafraid to go after Republicans who he's believed have been insufficiently loyal. Whoever wins the Republican primary next year is seen as the heavy favorite to win in the November election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Nikki Haley risks Trump's wrath again with bold move in crucial race attracting the eyes of conservatives
Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has weighed in on the 2026 Republican primary race for governor in South Carolina, inserting herself into a high-octane campaign that could pique the interest of President Donald Trump. Haley endorsed Congressman Ralph Norman, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who supported her run for the White House when she challenged the former president in 2024. 'Ralph Norman is a strong conservative, a principled leader, and a friend who helped me take on the Columbia establishment and never stopped,' said Haley, herself a former governor of the Palmetto state. 'Ralph will finally clean up Columbia, pass term limits, and prepare South Carolina for the next generation. When Ralph Norman is governor, it will once again be a great day in South Carolina' Haley added. What's unknown is where Trump stands on Norman's bid and whether Haley's endorsement will provoke him to back an opposing candidate out of vengeance. Norman's track record as a fiscal hawk has at times landed him at odds with Trump. During the Capitol Hill fight over Trump's 'big, beautiful' budget bill Norman was a key holdout during the debate, before ultimately supporting the legislation. After the bill's passage, Norman promised to 'keep pushing for fiscal sanity and a government that lives within its means.' Despite Haley's eventual backing of Trump in the 2024 general election race, her forceful challenge to him has left their relationship damaged. Last November Trump said that his former ambassador to the United Nations would not be invited to serve during his second term. It remains to be seen if Haley's endorsement of Norman could hurt him with Trump, who is known to hold a grudge. Norman joins a field of Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson and state Senator Josh Kimbrell already in the GOP primary contest, and Rep. Nancy Mace is expected to enter the race in the coming days. Mace is already teasing her candidacy, taking to social media to post photos of her with Trump. Like Haley, Mace similarly had a complex relationship with the president. After the January 6 Capitol riot, she declared his legacy was 'wiped out,' causing him to back her ouster in a Republican primary. But since Trump's victory Mace has worked to cozy back up to the commander in chief. 'I believe I may be forced to run for governor because I can't watch my beautiful red state of South Carolina go woke. It's gone woke over the last couple of years,' Mace told FOX Report host Jon Scott. Mace appeared at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics breakfast Friday, posting on X that trips to the Granite State is 'where serious campaigns get started,' a curious statement for someone about to launch a campaign for governor in a different state. During her visit, Mace said while New Hampshire 'picks presidents ... maybe you can pick the next South Carolina governor too.' Other conservatives aren't waiting on Mace, instead flocking to Norman. Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who represented North Carolina in Congress and former Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint endorsed Norman's bid. As in every other Republican primary on the map, the biggest endorsement to land in the South Carolina governor's race is the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Ralph Norman announces bid for South Carolina governor
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, announced Sunday that he is running for governor, looking to succeed GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, who cannot run for re-election due to term limits. Norman has at times been a thorn in GOP leadership's side, particularly on sweeping spending bills. Norman was also one of the few House lawmakers not to endorse President Donald Trump in the presidential primary, instead backing former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley's presidential campaign. He praised Trump during his announcement, saying his actions would make him one of the 'greatest' presidents. 'What he did to wipe out the world's, the terror of Iran, what he did, the courage that he had to do what he did is going to put him on the annals of the greatest presidents we have ever had,' Norman said. 'And I believe that South Carolina needs that same kind of leadership right now, which is why I'm here to announce I'm running to be the 118th governor of South Carolina.' 'I'm running for governor to shake things up,' he added, amid cheers of 'Ralph! Ralph! Ralph!' Norman said he would work to pass term limits for state legislators, a message that was also emblazoned in front of his microphone: 'Term limits. Clean up Columbia.' The representative touted his conservative bona fides, pointing to his time in the House Freedom Caucus. "Some people say I've earned a reputation of being uncompromising, always trying to build — to make a bill more conservative. Well, folks, I take that as a compliment," Norman said. "I'm proud of it. When it comes to defending South Carolina values and protecting your hard-earned tax dollars, I drive a hard bargain, and I don't apologize for that." Haley previously served as South Carolina's governor and she endorsed Norman's gubernatorial campaign on Sunday, according to a press release from his campaign. Several GOP contenders have already announced their bids, including Alan Wilson, the state's attorney general; and Pamela Evette, the state's lieutenant governor. Norman made his announcement in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He was introduced by his son and walked onstage to the song "I Won't Back Down," which the Trump campaign has previously used. The election is next year. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Ralph Norman announces run for South Carolina governor
ROCK HILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman annuounced he's running for governor of South Carolina Sunday. At a rally in the heart of his district in Rock Hill, the Republican congressman made official his candidacy to replace the term-limited Henry McMaster. His announcement follows those of SC Lt. Gov. Pamela Everette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Considered among the House's most conservative representatives, he'll run on a platform that targets term limits in the state legislature, addresses road safety issues and puts state judges on the ballot. He's received endorsement from former Palmetto State governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. 'Ralph Norman is a strong conservative, a principled leader, and a friend who helped me take on the Columbia establishment and never stopped. I'm proud to stand with Ralph and endorse him for Governor,' said Haley. 'Ralph will finally clean up Columbia, pass term limits, and prepare South Carolina for the next generation. When Ralph Norman is Governor, it will once again be a great day in South Carolina!' Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows was a speaker at the Norman rally. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Ralph Norman, among House's most conservative, set to enter South Carolina governor's race
Rep. Ralph Norman, among the most conservative Republicans in the U.S. House, is entering South Carolina's 2026 governor's race. SC governor asks for $21.1M for elementary school SROs, lawmakers provide only $3.7M The wealthy real estate developer and longtime ally of former Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to file his candidacy paperwork with state officials on Friday, his campaign told The Associated Press. A formal launch event is planned for Sunday in Rock Hill, in Norman's district. Norman has long been mulling a campaign for the state's highest office. But unlike several of his fellow candidates, he's not expected to seek the endorsement of the Republican whose backing in South Carolina GOP politics matters most: President Donald Trump. >>Click here for stories from The Political Beat with Joe Bruno Norman, 72, joins several other announced candidates, including Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, in the race for next June's GOP primary, and Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina's 1st District is soon expected to announce her campaign. All three have touted their ties to Trump, who has maintained popularity in the state since his 2016 primary win there helped cement his status as the GOP presidential nominee. Representing South Carolina's 5th District, Norman stridently backed Trump during his first term, voting against both House impeachments of the president. During the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters, he urged the then-president to declare 'Marshall Law' in a text to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows — misstating the term martial law even as he called for upending the peaceful transfer of power. But in the 2024 presidential campaign, Norman was one of only two House members nationwide to endorse Haley's candidacy. The former South Carolina governor, who served as Trump's United Nations ambassador, was his last primary challenger to depart the race, and Norman frequently appeared with her along the campaign trail. Both elected to the state House in 2004, Norman and Haley became legislative allies, and Norman was among few elected officials who backed Haley's insurgent, and ultimately successful, 2010 gubernatorial bid. In the 2024 presidential campaign, Norman in part argued that Haley could serve two full terms, while Trump could only go on to serve one. Republican former Sen. Jim DeMint, who represented South Carolina for eight years, acknowledged that Norman's 2024 support of Haley could be an obstacle but said he felt the congressman was the best choice to lead the state. 'He's not afraid of Trump — although he's done a lot to get the Trump agenda through — but he's not going to respond to intimidation from anyone,' DeMint told the AP. 'Trump will probably hold it against Ralph for endorsing Nikki, but, just like Trump, Ralph is very loyal.' Norman has frequently operated outside the mainstream even among his home state's GOP circles. In 2018, as Gov. Henry McMaster — with Trump's backing — faced several primary challengers as he sought his first full term in office after succeeding Haley as governor, Norman endorsed Catherine Templeton, an attorney who had served Haley's gubernatorial administration in several capacities. Norman has long been a member of the House Freedom Caucus, comprised of the chamber's most conservative members. According to the deficit hawk has traditionally ranked as the state's most conservative U.S. House member and among the top most conservative members nationwide, based on his legislative activity. He has been in the U.S. House since winning a 2017 special election to replace Mick Mulvaney, whom Trump appointed to lead the Office of Management and Budget. In 2018, South Carolina Democrats called for felony charges after Norman pulled out his own loaded handgun during a meeting with constituents to make a point about gun safety. Attorney General Alan Wilson — who is also seeking next year's GOP gubernatorial nomination — declined to press charges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Norman, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky were fined $500 apiece for not wearing face coverings on the House floor, which was a requirement at the time. They sued Democratic then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, subsequently losing an appeal over the incident. VIDEO: Lara Trump steps aside, Michael Whatley to run for NC Senate
