COLUMBIA, SC—In a bold move that political analysts are calling “either genius or the result of too much sweet tea,” Rep. Ralph Norman announced Monday that he will run for South Carolina’s open Senate seat, despite former President Donald Trump’s thunderous endorsement of Darline Graham, sister of famed senator and amateur war historian Lindsey Graham.

Undeterred, Norman unveiled his campaign slogan—’Nuke the Filibuster, Nuke the Doubters’—promising to eliminate not only outdated Senate procedures, but potentially entire concepts that annoy him. ‘If we have to wipe Georgia off the map to prove a point, so be it,’ Norman said to a crowd of 37 enthusiastic supporters and one confused tourist at Columbia’s Shoney’s parking lot.

Conservative super-donor Cletus McSwindle praised Norman’s moxie: ‘Finally, a candidate who’s not afraid to use nuclear metaphors and possibly weapons against procedural inefficiency.’

Political consultant Mary Lou Blathers added, ‘Norman is showing bold leadership by running against both the Trump endorsement and the basic tenets of federalism. This could set a new standard for self-confidence or, at the very least, self-delusion.’

Meanwhile, Darline Graham responded with a statement: ‘I thank President Trump for his support and wish Congressman Norman the best of luck in his upcoming destruction of parliamentary traditions and, potentially, the southeast.’

At press time, Norman’s campaign was soliciting donations and radiation suits, ‘just in case.’