Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) announced Friday he is backing GOP Rep. Ralph Norman (S.C.) in the race to serve a full term in the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) seat. 

Sanford, who generally refrains from offering political endorsements, said in a statement shared on social media that he felt "compelled to offer" his perspective in the race after the national debt hit $40 trillion this week. 

"As much as I would like to honor tradition and old friendships, the stakes are simply too high as our nation really is at a financial tipping point," the former governor said. "It's for these reasons and more that I will be voting for Ralph on Tuesday and respectfully ask that you do the same."

Sanford's endorsement comes ahead of the GOP primary runoff next Tuesday between Norman and Graham's sister, Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), who was tapped to serve out the remainder of the late senator's term. 

The race advanced to a runoff after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in the state's Republican primary last week. 

Sanford ran in the GOP primary to replace Lindsey Graham and came in fourth place. 

Norman said he was "honored" to receive the former state official's support in the race in a Friday statement.

"The Senate has become a place where good legislation goes to die, and as we elect our next U.S. Senator, we NEED a PROVEN conservative to take up the mantle and fight!" he wrote in a social media post. "I'm the only candidate in this race with the experience and the resume to take on this job, and I look forward to representing the Palmetto State in the United States Senate!" 

Sanford noted in his lengthy endorsement message that his "prayers continue to go out to Darline Graham" following the death of her brother. 

"I know her to be a good lady and my relationship to her late brother, her staff and many of her supporters had me wanting to do as I had done so many times before and stay neutral in this race," he wrote. 

Sanford's endorsement follows a rocky week for Darline Graham after she fumbled a question during a debate against Norman about the importance of Taiwan and the South China Sea to U.S. national security.

"I'm just going to be honest here … I'm not that informed on national security," Graham responded, before adding, "But I do support the military."

Graham is backed by President Trump and other prominent Republicans, including Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and the state's lieutenant governor, Pamela Evette. 

Trump is scheduled to participate in a campaign rally for Graham in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Friday. 

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