Sen. Tim Scott Announces Campaign For 2024 GOP Presidential Nomination

Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) announced his campaign for president on Monday morning. Scott, the lone black Republican senator, entered the race after launching of an exploratory committee in April. The conservative Republican joins a growing list of candidates hoping to defeat former President Donald Trump in the primary.

Scott made the announcement at Charleston Southern University, his alma mater, in a speech. “Joe Biden and the radical left are attacking every rung of the ladder that helped me climb,” Scott said after discussing his poor upbringing and rise to the Senate. “And that is why I am announcing today that I am running for president of the United States of America.”

Scott joins five other presidential hopefuls in the GOP primary race. The race includes Trump, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and radio host Larry Elder. Florida Gov. Rob DeSantis (R) is expected to announce his campaign later this week.

Leaning into an optimistic approach, Scott argued that his unique experience offers a fresh perspective for the Republican party. “We live in a land where it is absolutely possible for a kid raised in poverty in a single-parent household in a small apartment to one day serve in the People’s House and maybe even the White House,” Scott said to the cheering crowd. “This is the greatest nation on God’s green Earth.”

“They say opportunity in America is a myth and faith in America is a fraud. But the truth of my life disproves their lies,” Scott said. “The good news is all we need to do is turn around.”

Scott is liked by Republicans and Democrats alike, but defeating Trump and his dedicated base poses a difficult battle. Giving the senator an impressive start, Scott joins the race with $22 million left over from his 2021 campaign committee. His team plans to start airing TV ads in Iowa and New Hampshire this week.