Republican state Sen. Wes Climer is projected to win South Carolina's 5th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, defeating Democrat Mallory Dittmer to succeed outgoing Rep. Ralph Norman (R).
With 78 percent of the expected vote counted as of 9:29 p.m. EST Tuesday, Climer led with 51 percent, a margin consistent with the district's strong Republican lean. The seat was rated "safe" for the GOP by election forecasters, and Climer's victory was widely anticipated.
Climer, who has served in the South Carolina Senate, announced his resignation from that body effective Election Day to focus on his congressional bid. He had the backing of Norman, who chose not to seek re-election after an unsuccessful run for governor and a later bid for the U.S. Senate.
Norman, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, first won the seat in 2017 after President Trump tapped then-Rep. Mick Mulvaney to head the Office of Management and Budget. His departure had been expected, and Climer's campaign emphasized continuity with Norman's fiscal and social conservatism.
The race drew attention in part because of Norman's public criticism of Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) during the special Senate primary. Norman lost to Graham by roughly 5 points in that contest, which was triggered by the death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), over the summer. Although Norman said he would vote for Graham in the general election, he admitted his family was unlikely to do the same.
Climer's victory adds to a series of Republican holds in open seats across the country, including Texas's 8th District and Oklahoma's 1st District. The outcome in South Carolina's 5th was never in doubt, but it ensures the GOP maintains its grip on a district that has been reliably Republican for decades.
Climer will take office in January, joining a freshman class that includes several other new Republican lawmakers, such as Gober in Texas's 10th and Garrett in Tennessee's 6th. His win also mirrors other GOP successes in special elections and open seats, reinforcing the party's House majority.
Looking ahead, Climer is expected to align closely with the Freedom Caucus's priorities, including fiscal restraint and border security. His state Senate record on tax cuts and education reform likely foreshadows his approach in Washington.
