SC GOP Rep. Norman fast out of the gate with gubernatorial bid: term limits, state-run DOGE

Congressman Ralph Norman, R-S.C., on Tuesday laid out his campaign plan for what he would do if he were elected governor of South Carolina, including fixing the infrastructure, having term limits and a state-run Department of Government Efficiency. 

Norman said that while he enjoys being a representative for the Fifth District of South Carolina, he feels like he can do a lot of good work at the state level.

"We got a wave of people coming from all over the country into South Carolina," Norman said on the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. "We've got to be ready for it."

He said he is excited about what lies ahead for the state's future.

"The things that I will do include fixing the infrastructure there, which is a D rating, put term limits in... we'll remove the way we currently pick judges, and basically it's like a lot of places," Norman said. "It's got a lot of different corruption going on that we've got to face."

Other potential GOP primary candidates include Attorney General Alan Wilson, Rep. Nancy Mace and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.

A "Ralph Norman for Governor" page has already been launched and outlines Norman's plans for the state.

"I do not view politics as a career," Norman said in a statement on his campaign website. "I am a businessman who went into politics to make a difference for “We the People.” America has a businessman in the White House, and I believe we need a businessman as governor of South Carolina."

While the other GOP candidates have touted their ties to President Donald Trump, Norman likely won't, according to The Associated Press. During the 2024 GOP presidential primary, Norman threw his support behind former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Norman said he would take what he has learned from his experience in business and in politics to lead his home state. He went on to praise Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his efforts with DOGE.

"Every state ought to put a DOGE-like commission in there with people who can identify it," he said. 

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis established a state-run DOGE in February in order to eliminate waste and rein in government spending.

“Florida has set the standard for fiscally conservative governance, and our new Florida DOGE task force will do even more to serve the people of Florida,” DeSantis said in a statement. “It will eliminate redundant boards and commissions, review state university and college operations and spending, utilize artificial intelligence to further examine state agencies to uncover hidden waste, and even audit the spending habits of local entities to shine the light on waste and bloat.”

DOGE is a department Musk established to rein in spending in the federal government and root out government waste.