Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford just threw his weight behind the underdog in a heated Senate race.
Sanford officially gave his endorsement to U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman on Friday in the GOP runoff for South Carolina's open Senate seat, according to reports. This is a massive move with the runoff election set for Tuesday, August 25, and it could totally shake up the dynamic of this contest.
Here's the backstory. The special primary took place on August 11 following the sudden passing of longtime Senator Lindsey Graham. His sister, Darline Graham Nordone, was appointed to fill the seat on an interim basis and led the primary field with roughly 33 percent of the vote. Norman came in second at 23.5 percent, while Sanford landed fourth with about 15 percent. Because nobody hit the 50 percent mark needed to win outright, Graham Nordone and Norman advanced to the runoff.
Now the endorsement game is getting spicy. Third place finisher Russell Fry, who represents South Carolina's 7th Congressional District in the House, already threw his support behind Graham Nordone shortly after the primary. So Sanford going with Norman is a direct counter punch.
Sanford took to X to explain his reasoning, and boy, he did not hold back. He said he almost never gives endorsements because he believes voting is a deeply personal decision. He even recalled his own first congressional campaign when other candidates got endorsements before anyone bothered meeting him.
But what pushed him over the edge? The national debt. Sanford said he is genuinely alarmed about the federal government crossing the $40 trillion debt threshold this week. He called the implications "heinous" and said the country is sitting at a financial tipping point. Despite acknowledging some policy disagreements with Norman, Sanford said the congressman's conservative record on spending made him the obvious pick.
Sanford also offered kind words for Graham Nordone, calling her "a good lady" and noting his longstanding relationship with her late brother. But he made clear that friendship and tradition had to take a back seat to fiscal reality.
This endorsement joins a growing pile of support for Norman. Sanford's own son, Landon, publicly backed the congressman days before his father did. Former candidate Mark Lynch also gave Norman his stamp of approval.
The betting markets are already reacting. On Kalshi, Norman's implied odds jumped from around 17 percent roughly a week ago to 32 or 33 percent by August 21. Meanwhile, Graham Nordone's numbers slid from the high 70s and 80s down to approximately 67 percent. Those shifts reportedly accelerated after the two candidates squared off in a debate.
No traditional public opinion polls have been released for the runoff specifically. The only survey data available dates back to before the August 11 primary.
Norman responded to Sanford's backing by saying he felt honored and pointed to his congressional experience as proof he's ready for the Senate. With early voting now closed, all eyes turn to Tuesday. This race is far from over.
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