Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is set to receive a significant endorsement as he launches his 2024 presidential campaign in North Charleston.
According to CNN, John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican from South Dakota, plans to endorse Scott in the GOP primary race and will offer the opening prayer at the kickoff event. Thune previously praised Scott, stating that he is really well thought of and respected and would be a really interesting candidate.
Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, has been teasing his May 22 announcement for weeks and filed paperwork for his candidacy days ago. He is entering an emerging GOP field that includes former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who appointed Scott to the Senate in 2013 before he won later elections to remain a senator.
Thunes endorsement is notable because he is breaking from former President Donald Trump, who has endorsements from several other senators.President Trump is the front-runner in early polling, although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to launch a bid in the coming days and be a tough rival.
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is running, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy has created buzz as an outspoken candidate.
Tim Scott has signaled that he plans to run as a happy warrior, seeing it as a way to distance himself from President Trumps take-no-prisoners approach to politics. The senator launched an exploratory committee in April by calling America a land of opportunity, not a land of oppression. I know it because I lived it, he said in the clip.
Login