State Rep. Ralph Norman resigned his seat last week to focus on his campaign for U.S. House. The move puts pressure on his colleague and current state House Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope to do the same.

The men are among a half-dozen GOP candidates running to replace former U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney. Mulvaney represented South Carolina’s congressional district until confirmed as the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Norman’s move will save the taxpayers thousands of dollars if the election to fill his seat is held on the same day as the district race.

Pope is not planning to resign his House seat in light of the congressional race.

Photo of former State Rep. Ralph Norman from the South Carolina Legislature website.