Tim Scott 2024 presidential campaign

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Tim Scott 2024 presidential campaign
Campaign
CandidateTim Scott
U.S. Senator from South Carolina
(2013–present)
AffiliationRepublican Party
EC formedApril 12, 2023
AnnouncedMay 22, 2023
SuspendedNovember 12, 2023[1]
HeadquartersNorth Charleston, South Carolina
Key peopleJennifer DeCasper (campaign manager)[2]
ReceiptsUS$14,492,591.96[3] (December 31, 2023)
SloganFaith in America
Website
votetimscott.com

The 2024 presidential campaign of Tim Scott launched on May 22, 2023, when Tim Scott, a United States Senator from South Carolina, announced that he would seek election to the presidency in 2024. His entry into the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries followed his successful U.S. Senate reelection bid in 2022. On November 12, 2023, Scott suspended his campaign.[4]

Prior to launching his presidential campaign, Scott had been discussed in the mainstream media as a potential 2024 challenger to former president Donald Trump's bid for the nomination. On the day he began running for president, the New York Times reported that Scott brings "a positive, aspirational message" to the Republican field.[5]

Background[edit]

Scott has been a U.S. Senator from South Carolina since 2013, having previously been a United States Representative from SC-01 (2011–2013), member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 117th district (2009–2011), and a member of the Charleston County Council from the 3rd district (1995–2009). Following former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's February 2023 announcement of her 2024 presidential campaign, Scott stated in an interview that there was "certainly room for two" candidates from South Carolina.[6]

Commentators have suggested that the early date of the 2024 South Carolina Republican primary may play to the advantage of both Scott and Haley in the primary.[7][8] If nominated, he would be the first African-American presidential nominee of the Republican Party, and if elected, would be the first African-American Republican president of the United States and the second African-American president overall after Barack Obama.[9]

Announcement[edit]

Scott speaking at a campaign event in Cambridge, Iowa

Scott announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the Republican presidential nomination on April 11, 2023.[10] At the same time, he released a video describing his biography and saying, "I know America is a land of opportunity, not a land of oppression”.[11]

On May 19, 2023, he officially filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for president.[12] Scott officially announced his candidacy to the public on May 22, 2023, at an event in Charleston, South Carolina.[9]

Endorsements[edit]

Financials[edit]

Several billionaires made large donations to Scott in July 2023.[13]

Campaign highlights[edit]

Scott speaking to supporters at the 2023 Iowa State Fair

On June 5, 2023, Scott was a talk show guest on the The View, where he discussed issues including systemic racism and whether his own success is an exception to the rule, or a sign that the country has made broader progress. He believes the latter.[14]

A couple weeks later, Scott responded to former President Obama’s criticism that Republican politicians who are black should give an “honest accounting” of racism in the United States. Scott answered that he supported funding for historically Black colleges, and said “There is a way for us to elevate poverty, not by a race, but by the statistics themselves.”[15]

On August 28, Scott unveiled a 12-point education plan that advocated for breaking "the back of the teachers’ unions", which he charged had joined with President Biden and Big Tech in being "on a mission to make parents less important."[16]

In late October, Scott changed his focus towards Iowa in the runup to the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses.[17] He indicated in an interview with Hugh Hewitt on October 30, 2023 that he would drop out of the race if he performed poorly there.[18]

On November 10, Scott announced that he would be cancelling a four-day campaign trip and returning to his home in Charleston due to the flu during a critical period as that state's primary approaches.[19][20]

Presidential debates[edit]

At the first Republican presidential debate, Scott appeared alongside Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson, and Doug Burgum.[21] The Hill named DeSantis, Scott, Burgum, and Hutchinson the debate's losers, noting that Scott was "well-liked by many Republicans but his low-key affability isn’t ideal for contentious debate nights."[22] Anthony Zurcher of BBC wrote that Scott's choice to stay above the fray "won't help him win over many voters, but it could burnish his credentials if he wants to be Mr Trump's vice-presidential pick."[23] A post-debate poll, conducted by JL Partners, asked registered Republican voters who gave the best performance in the debate. Scott came in fourth place with 8%.[24]

Suspension[edit]

Scott announced the suspension of his campaign on November 12 in an interview with Trey Gowdy on the Fox News show Sunday Night in America, with staffers expressing frustration with the lack of notice.[25] In his message, Scott said "I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that they're telling me: 'Not now, Tim.'"[26]

Aftermath[edit]

On January 19, 2024, Scott endorsed former President Donald Trump for President.[27] There was broad comment in the press on Scott's decision to endorse Trump rather than former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who had appointed Scott to the United States Senate to replace Jim DeMint.[28][29]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Haberman, Maggie; Goldmacher, Shane (November 12, 2023). "Tim Scott Suspends '24 Campaign, as His Sunny Message Failed to Resonate". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  2. ^ Gómez, Fin; Huey-Burns, Caitlin (May 2, 2023). "Tim Scott to name longtime aide Jennifer DeCasper to run likely presidential campaign". CBS News. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Report of Receipts and Disembursements – TIM SCOTT FOR AMERICA". FEC. January 31, 2024.
  4. ^ Vakil, Caroline (November 12, 2023). "Tim Scott suspends 2024 GOP primary bid". The Hill. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Weisman, Jonathan; King, Maya (May 22, 2023). "Tim Scott Begins Presidential Campaign, Adding to List of Trump Challengers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Vakil, Caroline; Manchester, Julia (February 19, 2023). "Will Haley's 2024 launch put pressure on other GOP hopefuls?". The Hill. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  7. ^ Concepcion, Summer; Timm, Jane (February 14, 2023). "Nikki Haley announces 2024 presidential campaign, mounting first GOP challenge to Trump". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  8. ^ Smith, Allan (February 14, 2023). "South Carolina GOP divided as Nikki Haley and Tim Scott gear up for 2024". NBC News. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "WATCH LIVE: South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott announces 2024 presidential run". PBS NewsHour. May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Byrd, Caitlyn (April 11, 2023). "SC Sen. Tim Scott takes another White House step: Launching 2024 exploratory committee". The Post and Courier. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  11. ^ Bailey, Philip (April 13, 2023). "What Sen. Tim Scott does and doesn't say about race in 2024 exploratory announcement". USA Today. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Gómez, Fin; Musadiq, Bidar; Navarro, Aaron (May 19, 2023). "Tim Scott officially enters 2024 presidential race". CBS News. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  13. ^ Schwartz, Brian (July 31, 2023). "Peltz, Druckenmiller, Navarro give big to Tim Scott PACs as DeSantis falters". CNBC. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Oppenheim, Oren (June 5, 2023). "Sen. Tim Scott responds to 'The View' co-hosts' criticism on systemic racism". ABC News. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  15. ^ Groppe, Maureen (June 19, 2023). "Sen. Tim Scott says there's 'no higher compliment than being attacked by President Obama". USA Today.
  16. ^ Mueller, Julia (August 29, 2023). "Scott unveils education plan stressing 'family first culture'". The Hill. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Allison, Natalie (October 23, 2023). "Tim Scott shifts resources to Iowa as campaign sputters". Politico. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Timotija, Filip (October 30, 2023). "Tim Scott says it's 'Iowa or bust' for his presidential campaign". The Hill. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  19. ^ Morris, William. "Tim Scott cuts short presidential campaign trip in Iowa after catching the flu". Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  20. ^ Mueller, Julia (November 10, 2023). "Scott rescheduling weekend Iowa events due to flu". The Hill. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  21. ^ Watson, Kathyrn (August 14, 2023). "Who qualifies for the first 2024 Republican presidential debate?". CBS News. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Stanage, Niall (August 24, 2023). "Winners and losers of the first GOP debate". The Hill. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  23. ^ Zurcher, Anthony (August 24, 2023). "Ramaswamy, DeSantis, Pence: Who came out on top at the Republican debate?". BBC. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  24. ^ Gancarski, A.G. (August 24, 2023). "At least one post-debate poll shows Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis winning". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Kinnard, Meg (November 12, 2023). "South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott abruptly ends 2024 presidential bid, shocking even his campaign staff". Associated Press. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  26. ^ Marina Pitofsky (November 13, 2023). "'Not now.' Sen. Tim Scott drops out of 2024 presidential election days after GOP debate". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  27. ^ Sullivan, Kristen Holmes, Kylie Atwood, Melanie Zanona, Kate (January 19, 2024). "Sen. Tim Scott endorses Trump Friday in New Hampshire | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved January 20, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Paul Steinhauser , Alexis McAdams, and Sally Persons (January 19, 2024). "Ron DeSantis argues Tim Scott endorsement of Donald Trump 'is a blow to Nikki Haley'". Fox News. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  29. ^ Thomas, Steff Danielle (January 19, 2024). "Sununu blasts Scott for backing Trump: He 'wouldn't have a job' without Haley". The Hill. Retrieved January 20, 2024.

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