Republican Senator Tim Scott Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has surprised his donors and campaign staff by announcing his abrupt withdrawal from the 2024 Republican presidential race. This surprising move comes just two months before the start of voting in Iowa’s leadoff GOP caucuses.
Senator Scott, who entered the race in May, made the announcement on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Night in America” with Trey Gowdy, one of his closest friends. The news was so unanticipated that one campaign worker revealed that campaign staff found out about Scott’s decision to drop out by watching the show.
Scott stated, “I love America more today than I did on May 22. But when I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate. I am suspending my campaign.”
The decision to withdraw from the presidential race comes as Scott and the rest of the GOP field have struggled to gain momentum in a race dominated by former President Donald Trump. Despite legal challenges and indictments, Trump continues to poll far ahead of his rivals, leading many to conclude that the race is essentially over.
Scott has had difficulty gaining traction in the polls and struggled to make an impact on the debate stage. He often found himself overshadowed by other candidates.
Scott’s impending departure is the second major candidate to leave the race since the end of October. Former Vice President Mike Pence suspended his campaign two weeks ago, citing that “This is not my time.”
Following the announcement of his withdrawal, Scott expressed that he wouldn’t immediately endorse any of his remaining Republican rivals. He also appeared to rule out serving as vice president, saying the No. 2 slot “has never been on my to-do list for this campaign, and it’s certainly not there now.”
His departure leaves Nikki Haley, Trump’s first United Nations ambassador and the former South Carolina governor, as the sole South Carolinian in the race. After the surprise announcement, some of Scott’s donors said they would be switching to back Haley in the primary.
The unexpected announcement caught his campaign off guard, as just 13 minutes before he announced his departure, his campaign sent out an email soliciting supporters for donations to further Scott’s campaign.
Many donors expressed surprise but praised Scott for stepping aside to give Republicans a chance to coalesce behind a Trump alternative. Several donors and supporters have since shifted their support to Haley following Scott’s withdrawal from the race.
Scott’s next political move is unclear, but he has said that his 2022 Senate reelection would be his last. There have been speculations that he may consider running for South Carolina governor in 2026.
Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Steve Peoples in New York contributed to this report.