Hoping to secure the Republican nomination and become the first African-American presidential candidate, Tim Scott withdrew from the race, citing the voters’ clear message of “Not now, Tim.” Despite being well-funded, Scott struggled to make a significant impact in polls and opted not to endorse any remaining candidates or consider the vice-presidential role. In an interview with Fox News, he expressed his primary goal was to be president, not vice-president. Presenting himself as a deeply conservative candidate aiming to bridge political divisions, Scott emphasized his commitment to reviving the “culture of greatness” in the U.S. He withdrew from the campaign after the third presidential debate in Miami.
Mr. Scott often found himself overshadowed on the debate stage, with his optimistic campaign message failing to resonate with voters. Facing the risk of not qualifying for the upcoming Republican debate on December 6, he decided to suspend his campaign, surprising many of his staff. This unexpected move followed in the footsteps of former Vice-President Mike Pence, who withdrew from the crowded 2024 presidential race in October.
Despite being a U.S. senator since 2013, Mr. Scott struggled to garner significant support, as indicated by a recent CBS News/YouGov poll placing him in fifth position with just 4% of voters’ support. His departure has prompted some major donors to shift their support to former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, a fellow South Carolinian.
Nikki Haley, acknowledging Scott as “a good man of faith and an inspiration,” took to the platform formerly known as Twitter to express her sentiments, stating that Mr. Scott’s participation had enriched the Republican primary. The turn of events comes two months ahead of the presidential primary season kick-off in Iowa.
