Sen. Tim Scott easing into GOP presidential race with exploratory committee
![Tim Scott](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ztKKBXzSeDC9Rbw6n6wPiQ-415-80.jpg)
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) sent supporters an email Tuesday night promising "a major announcement" Wednesday morning on Fox News — and that announcement is that he's forming a presidential exploratory committee, The Post and Courier and other news organizations report. Scott will unveil his plan from Iowa, then travel to New Hampshire, and return to South Carolina in time for a donor retreat this weekend.
Forming an exploratory committee, "something of a soft launch for an all-but-certain Scott presidential campaign," will allow the senator to raise money for a future presidential campaign, spend money on polling and travel to key primary states, and raise his national profile, The Post and Courier reports. Scott already has roughly $21.8 million on hand in his Senate campaign account
Scott, 57, has been hinting at a presidential campaign for months, though some of his "fellow GOP senators have questioned whether he can carve out a lane within the pack," Politico reports. He would join a GOP primary field that already includes fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley — who appointed Scott to his Senate seat when she was governor — former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, conservative tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former President Donald Trump. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis (R) and former Vice President Mike Pence are also expected to join the race.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"In a potential 2024 contest, Scott's first — and perhaps greatest — challenge will be testing if Republican primary voters want the optimistic vision Scott is selling over the us-versus-them rhetoric coming from repeat favorite Donald Trump," The Post and Courier reports — though his Tuesday night email says Scott has "been thinking about the left's plan to ruin America." Scott's "biography, his oratorical skills, and his prominence as the top-ranking Black Republican in Congress have him on many Republican short lists to serve as a potential vice president," The New York Times reports, adding that Scott's advisers "have rebuffed that as the goal.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How Black organizations quickly pivoted and mobilized for Kamala Harris
In the spotlight Harris has a shot at being the first Black woman to lead the Democratic ticket
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Hamas and Fatah sign unity agreement in Beijing
Speed Read China brokered a reconciliation deal between the rival Palestinian factions
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Earth just saw its hottest day on record
Speed Read July 21, 2024 was the hottest day in recorded global history
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The convention speakers whose political stars rose
The Explainer Why you're likely to see the future leaders of the Democratic and Republican Parties at the conventions
By David Faris Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What happens if Joe Biden steps down?
Today's Big Question If the president decides not to run against Donald Trump, here's what Democrats have to do next
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published