By admin 
Longtime South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman’s time in elected office is coming to an end, at least for now, after failing to break out among a crowded field of candidates for governor.
Read more What’s next for GOP’s Rep. Ralph Norman after SC governor primary defeat?
But his political influence may continue even if he doesn’t have a formal title.
Norman, who represents South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, ran for governor instead of another term in the U.S. House this cycle. He finished third in Tuesday’s primary behind Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson.
“We came up short, apparently, but you know, you do what you can,” he said at his election night event in Rock Hill. “We worked hard. It was a blessing to have the people that were involved in our campaign. It was a blessing to be involved in a process that I believe in, and I think we planted some seeds tonight.”
Norman told a McClatchy reporter he currently has “no plans” to run for office again, but added “I never rule out anything.”
Whether he chooses to flex his political muscle in the short-term by making an endorsement in the runoff between Evette and Wilson or in the long-term by running for another position or promoting allies, Norman can influence voters in the Rock Hill area, Winthrop professor Scott Huffmon said.
“Ralph Norman is obviously incredibly well known in the 5th District. He’s very popular in the 5th District,” said Huffmon, the director of Winthrop’s Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research.
Will Norman endorse in SC governor runoff?
Norman told McClatchy Tuesday night he had not decided whether he would make an endorsement in the runoff between Evette and Wilson, scheduled for June 23. Evette received a boost from President Donald Trump’s endorsement but failed to meet the 50% threshold to avoid a runoff as her opponents questioned her true “MAGA” credentials.
Norman has his own complicated relationship with Trump and his movement, Huffmon noted. The congressman endorsed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s primary challenge against Trump in 2024, and he expressed concerns about the president’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
“He was not seen as a super ally of Trump,” Huffmon said.
Norman’s endorsement may not hold sway with hardcore Trump supporters, but it could influence voters more aligned with his branch of the party, especially in the 5th district. He carried multiple counties in his congressional district and Greenville County in Tuesday’s primary. He was the only other candidate to carry an entire county besides Evette and Wilson.
“An endorsement by Norman may help,” Huffmon said.
Will Norman run for office again?
Asked at his election night event about the possibility of running for office in the future, Norman said “I enjoy the political arena and being involved.”
The Republican will turn 73 later in June. While Norman’s age may have been an indicator he was “going to quietly retire” in the past, Huffmon noted, recent political trends means he could still be a viable candidate in two or four years.
Read more SC primary sends governor’s race, other key contests to runoffs. What to know
“You look at the last presidential election and the ages of the candidates there, 72 is considered still in your prime these days,” Huffmon said.
Huffmon floated the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Tim Scott as a possibility for Norman. Scott’s seat will be on the ballot in 2028. Scott said he wouldn’t run for the Senate again after winning in 2022 but has since softened that stance. Scott’s also a potential presidential candidate in 2028.
“If Scott doesn’t run for reelection, (Norman) could jump into that,” Huffmon said.
On the campaign trail, Norman “appears to be a very healthy, vibrant man,” the Winthrop political scientist said.
“There’s nothing necessarily saying he can’t run for something else,” Huffmon said.
Norman the ‘elder statesman’?
While he could have success if he runs for office again, Huffmon added that Norman has considerable personal wealth to fall back on if he chooses to retire.
“He’s had a very successful family company that has been a cornerstone of development in Rock Hill and in the region just for decades and decades,” Huffmon said.
Even if he stays out of elected office, Norman could still wield influence as an “elder statesman” in the Rock Hill region, Huffmon said. At his election night event, Norman spoke highly of his running mate in the governor’s race, the 37-year-old Adam Morgan. Norman’s large family is also heavily involved in the community, Huffmon added.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if another Norman jumped in the ring at some point in the future,” he said.
Read more A new restaurant for fish and wings has opened near Columbia. Check out where