Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham reportedly may face a Republican challenger when he’s next up for reelection in 2026.
Freedom Caucus member Ralph Norman, a Rock Hill Republican, is expected to challenge Lindsey Graham for the 2026 nomination.
“Rep. Norman is not ruling anything out but has made no decisions yet on future elections. He remains firmly committed to serving South Carolina’s 5th District in the House and doing everything within his ability to restore fiscal sanity and conservative values to Washington,” spokesman Austin Livingston said in a statement.
Graham was booed for several minutes earlier this month when he spoke at a rally for Donald Trump in Pickens, South Carolina. Politico reported that after that event, Norman started receiving calls to run and his team isn’t denouncing the claims that Norman is considering a challenge.
According to the latest statewide polling from Winthrop University, Graham’s approval rating in the Palmetto State is at 43 percent, while 57 percent said they disapprove of the way the senator is handling his job. That same poll last year, showed that 65% of Republicans approved of Lindsey Graham.
Norman would face an uphill battle, however, especially when it comes to Graham’s cash advantage. According to the latest federal fundraising reports, Norman has $600,435 cash on hand in his congressional campaign account, compared to Graham’s $14.2 million.
Despite strong support for President Trump, Norman isn’t backing Trump in the 2024 primary, but former South Carlina Gov. Nikki Haley, the Daily Caller has reported.
Lindsey Graham has not yet indicated if he will run for a 5th term in 2026.
