Ralph Norman announces endorsement for SC governor after falling short of runoff
Congressman Ralph Norman endorsed South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for governor Monday and pledged to continue shaping South Carolina politics through a new conservative watchdog group after his own campaign came to an end.
The endorsement gives Wilson access to the largest bloc of voters left up for grabs in the June 23 Republican runoff against Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. Norman, who finished third in last week’s gubernatorial primary with more than 80,000 votes, said Wilson shared his vision for government accountability and conservative reform. He also said Wilson supports his plans to launch the Legislative Accountability Institute of South Carolina, which will focus on tracking lawmakers’ votes and recruiting challengers to incumbents he believes have strayed from Republican principles.
“We have two choices before us, and I owe it to my supporters to tell you where I stand,” Norman said during a news conference at his Rock Hill campaign headquarters. “I’m excited to announce my complete endorsement of Attorney General Alan Wilson.”
Norman said he spent the days following the June 9 primary speaking with both Wilson and Evette before making his decision.
Norman said Wilson’s opposition to expanded gambling in South Carolina was a significant factor in earning his support. Norman called gambling a “back door tax” and said Wilson committed to opposing expansion if elected governor. Norman also argued Wilson would bring a more conservative approach to state government, criticizing what he described as “back room deals,” wasteful spending and a lack of transparency in Columbia.
“South Carolina can’t take another eight years of more of the same back room deals, failing roads, and corrupted judicial system, sky-high taxes, and increased wasteful spending,” Norman said. “We need a battle-tested conservative to get down to Columbia and clean up the mess.”
The endorsement comes as Wilson and Evette compete for voters who backed candidates eliminated in the primary. Evette finished first with 28.9% of the vote, while Wilson finished second with 26.1%, forcing a runoff. Norman received 80,774 votes and carried York, Cherokee, Chester, Greenville and Union counties.
Norman acknowledged the decision was not easy and said he did not finalize it until late Sunday night.
“You know, I talked with both of them,” Norman said when asked what separated Wilson from Evette. “In talking to Pamela, I just couldn’t get a clear vision. With Alan, I did. He was here yesterday. He was genuinely concerned about the future. He bought into the ideas that we have.”
Norman said Wilson did not offer him anything in exchange for his support.
“He promised me nothing,” Norman said. “I’m excited about him, about his leadership.”
Norman used the event to announce the creation of the Legislative Accountability Institute, a new organization he said would function as a “DOGE-style commission” focused on government spending and legislative transparency. Norman said the group would publish lawmakers’ voting records and recruit conservative candidates to challenge elected officials he believes no longer represent Republican values.
“I’m not going to stay silent. I will not stop exposing those who put political power ahead of conservative values. In trying to silence a movement, you have awakened one,” Norman said. “What you have unleashed is a grassroots force that will not be intimidated, won’t be bought, and it will be ignored.”
Norman said he discussed the effort with Wilson, who said he was supportive of the organization’s goals and will work with Norman to bring “transparency and accountability to the state.”
Despite Evette’s first-place primary finish and endorsement from President Donald Trump, Norman expressed confidence that Wilson can prevail in the runoff. He pointed to Wilson’s leadership style and alignment with his policy priorities, saying the attorney general convinced him he could move South Carolina, already a strong conservative state, in a more conservative direction.
Norman, who became emotional when speaking about entering another chapter of his life, said he looks forward to serving in the U.S. House through the end of his term, and spending time with his family.
Evette’s campaign quickly pushed back on Norman’s endorsement. “Ralph Norman is a good man and a good conservative but he’s wrong on this one,” campaign manager Meg Ryan Finnern wrote on X. “Pamela Evette is the only non-career politician and business leader in this race, and she’s the only one with the real-world experience and know-how to keep South Carolina moving forward.”
The June 23 runoff will determine the Republican nominee for governor. The winner will advance to the November general election in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for more than two decades.
