Sen. Tim Scott Announces His Withdrawal From 2024 Presidential Race

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) made a surprise announcement about his political future late Sunday night.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) meets with guests at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition in Clive, Iowa, on April 22, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Republican Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has made a surprise announcement that he will end his bid for the 2024 presidential race after months of struggling to boost his standing in the Republican primary race.

He made the announcement during a televised interview with Fox News on Nov. 12, just days after the party held its third primary debate featuring five candidates.

“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,” Mr. Scott told the news outlet.

“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.’

“And so I’m going to respect the voters. And I’m going to hold on and keep working really hard and look forward to another opportunity.”

Mr. Scott, the only black Republican in the U.S. Senate, also said that he would refrain from endorsing any of his remaining Republican rivals. He formally announced his bid for president on May 22.

“The voters are really smart,” the senator said. “The best way for me to be helpful is to not weigh in on who they should endorse.”

The news was so abrupt that one campaign worker, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the internal deliberations publicly, told The Associated Press anonymously that the campaign staff found out that Mr. Scott was dropping out by watching the show.

Just last month, reports emerged that he was planning to shift his campaign resources from New Hampshire to Iowa by opening a new state headquarters in suburban Des Moines and doubling his staff there.

This reallocation of resources occurred after the super PAC supporting Mr. Scott decided to cease a significant portion of its television ad purchases in October, raising uncertainty about his campaign strategy. The group announced in a memo at the time that it would continue with door-knocking and other efforts.

“Until the experts recognize Tim is the only candidate that can capture the nomination and defeat President Joe Biden, there will be a very expensive and loud next few months—full of sound and fury and signifying nothing,” the memo read.

“So, we are doing what would be obvious in the business world but will mystify politicos—we aren’t going to waste our money when the electorate isn’t focused or ready for a Trump alternative.

“This electorate is locked up, and money spent on mass media isn’t going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting.”

On the fundraising front, Mr. Scott’s third-quarter fundraising reportedly had a higher-than-average burn rate, with his campaign spending far more money than it brought in. He reportedly raised $4.6 million but spent more than $12.3 million during the third quarter.

Former President Donald Trump remains the favorite to win the Republican primary. According to business intelligence company Morning Consult, President Trump has 59 percent of the vote. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has second place, with 14 percent. Mr. Scott was in second-to-last place, with only 2 percent.

The senator from South Carolina has put less emphasis on foreign affairs and more on a positive message rooted in his Christian faith and a demand for more personal responsibility in the United States during the course of his campaign.

In comments to the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington last month, he condemned the attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, saying that it filled Americans “with heartbreak, and frankly, righteous anger.” But he also blamed the Biden administration for weak foreign policy that he said contributed to the carnage.

Stephen Katte, Savannah Pointer, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.