Ralph Norman is the U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, a position he has held since 2017. Below is an overview of his career, legislative activities, policy positions, and demographic information about his district.
Career Path to Congress
Education and Early Career: Ralph Norman earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Presbyterian College in 1975. Before entering politics, he established himself as a successful real estate developer.Ralph Norman is the U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, serving since 2017. Below is an overview of his career, legislative activities, policy positions, and demographic information about his district.
Career Path to Congress
Education and Early Career: Ralph Norman earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Presbyterian College in 1975. He established himself as a real estate developer prior to entering politics.
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State Legislature Service: Norman served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2006 and again from 2009 until his resignation in 2017 to assume his role in Congress.
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Congressional Campaigns: He first ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 but was not elected. In 2017, following Mick Mulvaney’s appointment as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Norman won a special election to represent South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District.
Sponsored Legislation
As of January 2025, Rep. Norman has sponsored and co-sponsored various bills, reflecting his policy priorities:
H.R. 54: Introduced on January 3, 2025, this bill directs the President to withdraw the United States from the Constitution of the World Health Organization.
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H.R. 45: Introduced on January 3, 2025, this bill aims to amend title 41 of the United States Code to prohibit the federal government from contracting with entities that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industry.
Votes and Stances on Major Social Issues
Abortion: Rep. Norman voted in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 21) on January 23, 2025, indicating his pro-life stance.
Law Enforcement: He has expressed strong support for law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the importance of public safety and opposing efforts to defund the police.
Votes and Stances on Major Economic Issues
Inflation and Economy: Rep. Norman has highlighted concerns about inflation and its impact on American families. He advocates for fiscal responsibility and reducing government spending to address economic challenges.
Taxation: He supports tax policies that aim to stimulate economic growth, including tax cuts for individuals and businesses, to promote job creation and investment.
Votes and Stances on National Defense
Defense Spending: Rep. Norman advocates for a strong national defense and has supported legislation to increase funding for the military to ensure readiness and modernization of the armed forces.
Foreign Policy: He has taken positions favoring a robust foreign policy that prioritizes American interests and security, including measures to counteract adversarial nations and organizations.
Demographic Data of South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District
As of 2022, South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District has the following demographic characteristics:
Population: Approximately 733,429 residents.
Median Age: 40 years.
Racial Composition:
White (Non-Hispanic): 65.3%
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 23.9%
Two or more races (Non-Hispanic): 3.11%
White (Hispanic): 1.93%
Two or more races (Hispanic): 1.78%
Median Household Income: $65,431, reflecting an 11.2% increase from the previous year.
Poverty Rate: 12.8%, a decrease of 3.3% from the prior year.
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Educational Attainment:
High school graduate or higher: 89.6%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 29.5%
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These demographics provide insight into the constituency Rep. Norman serves and the socio-economic context of his legislative priorities.