Local developer ready to run for state House seat
By Andrew Dys The Herald

(Published February 14‚ 2004)

FORT MILL -- After years of helping elect other Republicans, Rock Hill developer Ralph Norman kicked off his own campaign Friday for the District 48 seat in the S. C. General Assembly.

Norman, 50, is running for the House of Representatives seat to be vacated by Repub-lican Rep. Becky Richardson of Fort Mill when she takes a commissioner's job with the S.C. Employment Security Commission. Norman is the only announced candidate, although Richardson's husband, Dick, has said he's considering a run.

Flanked by his family and in front of more than 100 supporters at the Fort Mill branch of the York County Library on Friday, Norman vowed to be a fiscal conservative who will fight for economic development while bolstering free enterprise. Norman, Rock Hill born and raised, runs the family business started by his parents in 1947.

"I've seen how government regulations are slowly strangling the thing that drives this country -- small business," Norman said.

Norman said York County must attract more commercial and industrial development to go along with residential growth.

Acknowledging he had considered running for political office for years, Norman said family and business commitments have lessened to where, "Now I can spend the time necessary to do it."

Norman has been active in Republican Party politics for years. Longtime Rock Hill Republicans Rep. Gary Simrill and Sen. Wes Hayes -- both backed by Norman in political races over the years -- spoke of Norman's deep community roots, devotion to family values and leadership. Hayes described Norman as "a strong conservative."

The seat, formerly a Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Lake Wylie seat, changed with redistricting in 2000 to include part of Rock Hill.

No special election is needed to fill the seat when Becky Richardson leaves July 1. The general election for the seat is in November.

Official candidate filing is the last two weeks in March, and if another Republican runs against Norman, a primary would be in June.

House members, considered part time, make $10,400 per year.

Contact Andrew Dys at 329-4065 or adys@heraldonline.com.
Copyright © 2004 The Herald, South Carolina