Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman still eyeing runs to replace Lindsey Graham despite Trump snub

Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) are both still considering bids for the U.S. Senate despite President Trump endorsing Darline Graham Nordone for a full six-year term.

Why it matters: A run by either could mean a messy Aug. 11 special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on the general election ballot.

But Mace is still considering a bid, according to two sources familiar with her thinking, with one telling Axios it would be "political malpractice not to."

Norman, asked if he is still considering a run, told Axios in a text message: "Yes!!"

Driving the news: Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday that he asked Graham Nordone — the sister of the late senator who Gov. Henry McMaster (R) appointed to finish Graham's term — to run.

"I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey," the president wrote on Truth Social.

Graham Nordone did not immediately respond to a text message asking if she plans to run, though Semafor reported she is exploring a run.

Zoom out: Several other Republicans had been seen as potential candidates for the seat, including Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, businessman Mark Lynch and former Rep. Mark Sanford.

Sanford, who briefly ran for his old U.S. House seat earlier this year, even took the step of converting his campaign to a Senate committee, according to a filing to the Federal Election Commission.

Mace and Norman both ran for governor this year, finishing fifth and third in the Republican primary, respectively. ...