South Dakota Senator John Thune plans to endorse South Carolina Senator Tim Scott’s bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Scott has already filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and will formally kick off his campaign on Monday in North Charleston, South Carolina. Thune is expected to deliver the opening prayer at the event. Thune had previously encouraged Scott to enter the contest and called him “a great candidate.” Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, joins a growing GOP field looking to challenge President Joe Biden as he seeks a second term, including former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
As seen in the coverage by s familiar with the plans, South Dakota Senator John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, is set to endorse South Carolina Senator Tim Scott’s bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Scott has already filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and is expected to formally kick off his campaign on Monday in North Charleston, South Carolina, with Thune delivering the opening prayer at the event.
Thune had previously encouraged Scott to enter the contest, urging him to visit the early-voting state of Iowa and stating in March that his colleague would be “a great candidate.” “He’s really well thought of and respected,” Thune said. “I think he’d be a really interesting candidate for president in a field that… could be fairly open.”
Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, is joining a growing GOP field looking to challenge President Joe Biden as he seeks a second term. Former President Donald Trump is making a third run for the White House, while former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who appointed Scott to his Senate seat a decade ago, launched her campaign in February. Others in the GOP race include former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and talk radio host Larry Elder.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also expected to enter the contest this week, adding to the already crowded field of potential candidates. With Thune’s endorsement, Scott may have an edge over his competitors, particularly in the early-voting state of Iowa, where Thune’s support could prove crucial.
Thune’s endorsement of Scott comes as the GOP grapples with its identity and direction in the post-Trump era. While Trump remains a popular figure among many Republicans, some in the party are looking to move on from his divisive rhetoric and policies. Scott, who has been a vocal critic of Trump in the past, could be seen as a bridge between the party’s traditional conservative base and its more moderate and diverse members.
If Scott were to win the GOP nomination in 2024, he would make history as the first Black presidential nominee of a major party. While his chances of winning the nomination and ultimately the presidency remain uncertain, Thune’s endorsement is a significant boost to his campaign and could help him stand out in a crowded field of candidates.
As the race for the 2024 GOP nomination heats up, it remains to be seen who will emerge as the party’s standard-bearer. With Thune’s endorsement, Scott has an early advantage, but the road ahead will be long and challenging. Only time will tell if he can win over enough Republican voters to secure the nomination and take on President Biden in the general election.
