Tim Scott 2024 presidential campaign

Scott has been a U.S. Senator from South Carolina since 2013, having previously been a United States Representative from SC-01 (2011–2013), member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 117th district (2009–2011), and a member of the Charleston County Council from the 3rd district (1995–2009). Following former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's February 2023 announcement of her 2024 presidential campaign, Scott stated in an interview that there was "certainly room for two" candidates from South Carolina.[3]

Commentators have suggested that the early date of the 2024 South Carolina Republican primary may play to the advantage of both Scott and Haley in the primary.[4][5] If nominated, he would be the first African-American presidential nominee of the Republican Party, and if elected, would be the first African-American Republican president of the United States and the second African-American president overall after Barack Obama.[6]

Scott speaking at a campaign event in Cambridge, Iowa

Scott announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the Republican presidential nomination on April 11, 2023.[7] At the same time, he released a video describing his biography and saying, "I know America is a land of opportunity, not a land of oppression”.[8]

On May 19, 2023, he officially filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for president.[9] Scott officially announced his candidacy to the public on May 22, 2023, at an event in Charleston, South Carolina.[6]

Several billionaires made large donations to Scott in July 2023.[10]

Scott speaking to supporters at the 2023 Iowa State Fair

On June 5, 2023, Scott was a talk show guest on the The View, where he discussed issues including systemic racism and whether his own success is an exception to the rule, or a sign that the country has made broader progress. He believes the latter.[11]

A couple weeks later, Scott responded to former President Obama’s criticism that Republican politicians who are black should give an “honest accounting” of racism in the United States. Scott answered that he supported funding for historically Black colleges, and said “There is a way for us to elevate poverty, not by a race, but by the statistics themselves.”[12]

On August 28, Scott unveiled a 12-point education plan that advocated for breaking "the back of the teachers’ unions", which he charged had joined with President Biden and Big Tech in being "on a mission to make parents less important."[13]

In late October, Scott changed his focus towards Iowa in the runup to the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses.[14]

At the first Republican presidential debate, Scott appeared alongside Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson, and Doug Burgum.[15] The Hill named DeSantis, Scott, Burgum, and Hutchinson the debate's losers, noting that Scott was "well-liked by many Republicans but his low-key affability isn’t ideal for contentious debate nights."[16] Anthony Zurcher of BBC wrote that Scott's choice to stay above the fray "won't help him win over many voters, but it could burnish his credentials if he wants to be Mr Trump's vice-presidential pick."[17] A post-debate poll, conducted by JL Partners, asked registered Republican voters who gave the best performance in the debate. Scott came in fourth place with 8%.[18]