South Carolina Senator Tim Scott officially ended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on Sunday night, just two months before the Iowa primaries. Scott’s announcement, made during an interview with Fox News, apparently came as a complete surprise to the Senator’s donors and campaign staffers, all of whom have now been left “blindsided.”
“When I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate. I am suspending my campaign,” Scott told former Rep. Trey Gowdy on Fox’s “Sunday Night in America.” “I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that they’re telling me, ‘not now, Tim.’”
“I don’t think they’re saying ‘no,’ Trey, but I do think they’re saying ‘not now,’” Scott continued, much to Gowdy’s shock.
BREAKING: @votetimscott has suspended his campaign for president in the 2024 race. pic.twitter.com/ngcHCWOOoe
— National Review (@NRO) November 13, 2023
As Gowdy pointed out, despite falling well behind other candidates in the polls, Scott boasted some of the field’s strongest approval numbers. He was also only a few months away from the primary in his own home state of South Carolina, where he was projected to perform well.
“Romans 8:28 is such an important scripture, it says that ‘all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose,’” said Scott. “I think the message is clear for me right now, I am indeed suspending the campaign.”
This announcement, which came as a total surprise to Gowdy, also caught Scott’s campaign team off-guard, reportedly leaving them scrambling to plan next steps. According to one staffer who spoke with the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, “this is incredibly frustrating.”
“A large portion of the SC team had been sent to Iowa in the last month – and now they have to find a way to get them back tomorrow,” the AP reported. The Scott campaign had apparently sent out fundraising emails just 13 minutes prior to the announcement and was in the process of deploying resources in preparation for the upcoming caucuses.
Senator Scott further explained that he has no plans to endorse any of his fellow candidates—despite previously signing a pledge to support the eventual nominee as a condition for participating in the televised debates.
“I’m going to recommend that the voters study each candidate and their candidacies and frankly their past and make the best decision for the future of the country,” he said. “The best way for me to be helpful is to not weigh in on who they should endorse.”
Following his withdrawal, Scott’s fellow Republican candidates issued statements wishing him well.
“Tim Scott is a strong conservative with bold ideas about how to get our country back on track,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “I respect his courage to run this campaign and thank him for his service to America and the U.S. Senate.”
Tim Scott is a strong conservative with bold ideas about how to get our country back on track. I respect his courage to run this campaign and thank him for his service to America and the U.S. Senate.
I look forward to Tim continuing to be a leader in our party for years to come.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 13, 2023
“Tim Scott strikes me as a good dude,” said businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. “Wishing Tim all the best back in the U.S. Senate. I’m hopeful we can convince him that more Ukraine aid is an awful idea for America.”
Tim Scott strikes me as a good dude. I gave @SenatorTimScott a congratulatory 👊 on stage when the other South Carolinian shamelessly copied *exactly* what he said. Wishing Tim all the best back in the U.S. Senate. I’m hopeful we can convince him that more Ukraine aid is an awful… pic.twitter.com/jZ6uzLoX47
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 13, 2023
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who was poised to challenge Scott in their home state’s primary, called him “a good man of faith and an inspiration to so many.”
“The Republican primary was made better by his participation in it,” she said.
Tim Scott is a good man of faith and an inspiration to so many.
The Republican primary was made better by his participation in it.
South Carolina is blessed to continue to have him as our senator.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 13, 2023
Senator Tim Scott is now the second major candidate to suspend his campaign, following former Vice President Mike Pence’s withdrawal at the end of October. Radio host Larry Elder, businessman Perry Johnson, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez have also dropped out in recent months without qualifying for debates.
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