Ralph Norman

Rep. Ralph Norman, who is running for governor of South Carolina, told Newsmax on Thursday that the state should adopt closed primaries, arguing that Democrats should not influence Republican elections as the state prepares for its June 9 primaries.

"Closed primaries should have been done years ago because, you know, you look at the divide between the Democrat Party and now the Republican Party," the South Carolina Republican told Newsmax's "Wake Up America Early."

"The Democrat Party is a new Marxist socialist party, and they should not decide who we put in office on the conservative ballot," he added.

A closed primary allows only registered members of a political party to vote in that party's primary election.

South Carolina currently uses an open primary system, where voters can choose either party's primary regardless of registration.

Norman said he believes the state is ready to change its election system and expects lawmakers to eventually pass legislation establishing closed primaries.

"I think we will have a meaningful closed-primary bill, definitely when I'm governor, but hopefully before the end of the year," he said.

The congressman said the issue is tied to ongoing debates over redistricting and election boundaries in the state.

Norman also addressed the bipartisan housing package passed by the House on Wednesday, saying he hopes the legislation will improve affordability for younger Americans struggling to buy homes.

The legislation aims to boost housing supply through streamlining permits, cutting federal regulations, modernizing federal housing programs, and encouraging new construction.

"Hopefully it'll pass, and it'll be a step in the right direction because we've got to get people out of rental units and back into single-family houses," Norman commented.

He also discussed a proposed constitutional amendment introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., that would bar naturalized U.S. citizens from serving in Congress, becoming federal judges, or holding Senate-confirmed positions.

"Now, whether it will pass the two-thirds threshold, I don't know, but it's at least she's putting it out there," Norman said. "And I think it's good [that] it's open for discussion."

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