Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who dropped out of the presidential race in November, announced his official endorsement of Donald Trump's candidacy during a campaign event in New Hampshire.
The announcement comes three days before the election in New Hampshire, one of the most decisive Republican primaries.
South Carolina Senator @votetimscott endorses Donald J. Trump for President! pic.twitter.com/9ehXhLFaSH
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 20, 2024
Scott's decision represents a hard blow to the campaign of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is holding out hope of getting a good result in New Hampshire to stay alive in the upcoming elections in other states.
Why is Scott's support so important?
Scott's endorsement came after several national publications, including Fox News Digital, revealed the South Carolina senator's plans in advance.
In addition to impacting Monday's election, Scott's support for Trump resolves the battle between the former president and Haley for his endorsement. In fact, according to CNN, the former South Carolina governor didn't know Scott was planning to move forward with endorsing Trump until hours ago.
Meanwhile, the former president's team plans to use Scott's support to portray Haley as a person who is disliked even by her allies in her home state.
According to Axios, Trump had been calling Scott since Monday, after sweeping the Iowa caucuses. Haley also called the senator on Wednesday, but a source familiar with the matter said Scott did not answer, and only text messages were exchanged.
Scott's definitive support, in addition to influencing the New Hampshire primary, could also have an impact on the South Carolina primary, Haley's home state, which will be held on February 24.
With Scott's support, former President Trump will be able to maintain a united core of Republicans around his candidacy. If Haley had obtained such support, a rift could have formed within the party.
Scott's endorsement, furthermore, was one that generated a lot of speculation, since it was Haley who nominated Scott for the Senate when she was governor in 2013.
However, despite the good historical relationship between Haley and Scott, former President Trump was the one who praised the senator the most throughout the presidential campaign, even after the legislator announced his candidacy.
“Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race. It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!" Trump had written on his Truth social network.
More about Tim Scott
He is one of the most particular and distinctive politicians in the Senate.
Scott has a brilliant story of hard work and humble origins. In fact, he is a descendant of slaves and his family went from picking cotton to leading Congress. He is the first black person to serve in both Houses and his rhetoric has nothing to do with victimhood, but rather American pride and patriotism.
“They are attacking our American values, our schools, our economy, our security… but not on my watch. I cannot stand by while this is done to America. She's done too much for me. Our nation, our values and our people are strong, but our president is weak,” Scott had said in May 2023, when launching his presidential candidacy that, in the end, failed to excite the Republican base or the most traditional voters.
