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Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) officially filed paperwork Friday to seek the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election.He has joined a growing number of Republicans who are vying to become the party’s nominee for the 2024 election, with the goal of overtaking former President Donald Trump.
Scott, who made history in 2012 by becoming the first Black senator from the South since the Reconstruction era, is expected to highlight his own life story and achievements, particularly in relation to economic and social policies, as he campaigns for president. In the Senate, Scott is known for his positive and calm demeanor, neither fully embracing nor strongly criticizing Trump’s politics. In his campaign, he aims to build a coalition of traditional conservatives, evangelical Christians, and moderate Republicans.
Scott is set to announce his candidacy at an event on Monday at his former university, Charleston Southern University in North Charleston. This comes just before another strong contender in the Republican primary, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, is expected to formally enter the race. Scott’s campaign recently changed its account name with the Federal Election Commission from “Tim Scott Presidential Exploratory Committee” to “Tim Scott for America” in preparation for a $6 million advertising campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Last month, Scott announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee and has since made visits to early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire. He has also held campaign events in his home state of South Carolina, which is expected to hold the third Republican primary contest after New Hampshire and the Iowa caucuses.
Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and U.N. ambassador, is already running in the Republican primary. She has historically shared supporters and donors with Scott in the Palmetto State. Polls show both Haley and Scott with low single-digit support, with Haley slightly ahead. Haley launched her campaign in February with a rally in Charleston, joining other candidates such as Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. Donald Trump announced his candidacy in November.
Scott began his political career on the Charleston County Council and held that position for over 12 years while working as an insurance agent. He later started his own Allstate insurance agency. In 2008, he was elected to the South Carolina House, and in 2010, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Charleston and the surrounding areas. In late 2012, then-Governor Haley, who is now his primary rival, appointed Scott to fill a vacant Senate seat previously held by Jim DeMint. Scott has since won reelections in 2014, 2016, and 2022.
