Ralph Norman talks campaign for South Carolina governor

The race for South Carolina’s governor’s mansion is heating up.

Congressman and York County native Ralph Norman is among the crowded field of candidates who want to replace Henry McMaster as governor.

South Carolina reporter Tina Terry asked Norman why he’s running and what he hopes to accomplish.

The primary race for governor is in June.

“Running for governor was the furthest thing from my mind. Congress we were doing a lot of good things,” Norman said. “President Trump we had some good things that we were working on the big beautiful bill. All of his initiatives he was fulfilling, we were part of that. The election for governor—when I saw who was running, I said I cannot give this state up to what I consider nice people. But South Carolina is at a crossroads in a way that we have never seen before.”

Norman has represented South Carolina’s 5th congressional district since 2017, serving counties like York, Lancaster, and Chester.

But now Norman says he’s the best candidate to take the state’s top office and manage explosive growth. A trend he expects to continue in the future.

“I’ll give you some examples. Mandami in New York is under the impression he’s going to tax his way to fund the city. People are leaving. I see more New York tags every day. California, Gavin Newsom, same way. He’s made a train wreck out of a perfectly good stake. People are coming here,” Norman said.

“Virginia is going to really see a mass exodus with the new governor .So I couldn’t let that go. And secondly, the fact that governor is the most important election all across the country for this one reason. You’re electing the CEO for the state to run the finances, to set the agenda, to be the spokesman for four years,” he added. “You can’t divorce that person. You can’t fire that person. And just think any other search committee like a coach when you get a coach, he signs a four- or five-year contract; he’d be fired. And you can’t do that with a governor.”

Norman pointed to the need for improved roads when it comes to fighting rapid growth and the need for a strong economic leader.

“Well, first of all, you know, when you look at South Carolina, are we ready for the growth? Will our roads hold up with just mass groups coming in? All that to say is, it’s not ready,” Norman said. “Our infrastructure is not ready. Our education is not ready. Our legal system is not ready. So you’ve got to be very selective. I will drive a hard bargain as we do in the business arena to make sure that anybody who comes in here pays their way.”

He mentioned Scout Motors as an example. The company announced plans to build a manufacturing plant near Columbia in 2023. Then in 2025, they announced plans to build it in Charlotte.

“And the perfect example of a boondoggle is Scout Motors. To pay them a billion, two billion, by taxpayers’ money and have the headquarters moved to Charlotte with the good paying jobs. You don’t let that happen,” Norman said. “You have a rescission package where you reclaim the money that was given. All that to say is, that’s not going to happen with Ralph Norman. We’re going to protect the state. We’ve got a heritage in South Carolina that’s special. Each town, each community—and as I’ve traveled the state, that’s more and more evident to me now."

Norman also spoke on Silfab Solar, as Fort Mill residents have fought against the plant that uses chemicals that are subject to federal regulation to manufacture solar panels.

It sits yards from a Fort Mill public school. In March, Fort Mill Schools asked state and local leaders to help permanently limit the facility’s operations and remove all hazardous chemicals on the site.

“Well, no one wants any plant that violates what the process they went through. If it’s dangerous for the people, they need to pay a price.They need to be held accountable. Now, my opponents are leading from behind,” Norman said. “Where were they when I had the town hall meeting August 24th two years ago? They didn’t show up. This thing is not a it’s not something that just sprung up. It’s been an issue. Henry McMaster supported Silfab coming in.”

Norman also talked about his ability to save taxpayers money.

“Here’s where I am on income taxes. It’s irresponsible for any elected official to say we’re going to cut your taxes, I think one of them said in a hundred days,” Norman said. “I’m going to cut taxes, but I’m going to have a forensic audit of every agency. It’s irresponsible for me to say that I’m not going to say what’s going to be cut.”

Every dollar is being spent. And there’s a vested interest in every dollar spent.

He also plans to do a forensic audit if he is elected.

Nomran urged residents to take the June primary seriously.

June’s right around the corner. We’re less than two months away.

“This election is the most important election because you’re locked in with the CEO. It’s gonna take a businessman to run this state, not a politician,” he said. “I’m neither a lawyer nor a politician. It’s gonna take a businessman to get this ship righted and to protect this great state, this is gonna see a massive flow of people coming in. We gotta protect it.”

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