Senator Tim Scott’s presidential campaign has been doomed by a failure to reverse a decline in fundraising that led to financial losses in the third quarter of the year — as well as shaky poll numbers in a crowded Republican field.
The 58-year-old’s campaign spent $12.4 million between July 1 and September 30, while raising just $4.6 million during the same period, according to Federal Election Commission records. Meanwhile, Scott (R-SC) polled at an average of 2.5% nationally, according to RealClearPolitics data, and could only muster an average of 7.8% in his home state.
The senator’s announcement Sunday afternoon that he was suspending his campaign surprised his staff and supporters.
As recently as Wednesday, former Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) — head of the pro-Scott super PAC Trust in the Mission (TIM PAC) — told The Post his former colleague was in Iowa on Jan. 15. caucus.
“Iowa is the focus. Then it will be New Hampshire, then it will be South Carolina. And when we get to November, it’s going to be great,” Gardner said in the lobby after the third GOP debate in Miami, where Scott barely made it to the stage because of his low polling numbers.
Tim Scott is the sixth 2024 candidate to drop out of the race. AFP via Getty Images
When asked if he thought either candidate would drop out after the debate, Gardner deflected: “Look, I think this is, again, a reason for Iowa to look at a candidate like Tim Scott and say, ‘You know what? I saw leadership tonight .’”
Scott’s campaign has canceled a planned Iowa swing on Friday, attributing the change in plans to the flu. The South Carolinian later told Fox News on Sunday that “when I go back to Iowa, it’s not going to be a presidential candidate.”
“I’m putting my campaign on hold,” Scott told “Sunday Night in America” host Trey Gowdy. “I think the voters, who are the most incredible people on the planet, have been absolutely clear — they’ve told me, ‘Not now, Tim.'”
Moments before Scott’s FNC appearance, his campaign sent out a fundraising email with the headline: “One last chance.”
Last month, in the clearest sign yet that Scott is struggling to gain traction, TIM PAC said it was canceling a planned ad buy because it didn’t want to “waste our money when voters aren’t focused or ready for a Trump alternative. “
Scott qualified for the third GOP debate in Miami, joining (from left) Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy.AFP via Getty Images
To qualify for the next debate, on Dec. 6 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Scott needs to reach at least 6% in certified polls and attract at least 80,000 unique donors — with at least 200 unique donors in each of the 20 states or region.
Although Scott has declined to endorse other candidates in the GOP primary, his departure from the race frees up another much-needed segment of voters for rivals trailing former President Donald Trump in the polls.
“I don’t think Scott voters are thinking about voting for Trump, but I think they are thinking about it [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis or [former South Carolina Gov. Nikki] Haley,” GOP strategist John Feehery told The Post, adding that his best guess is that DeSantis will benefit from Scott’s absence in Iowa while Haley will get a boost in the first primary in the South.
“I think it helps Haley a little bit just because of the South Carolina part,” he surmised. “I think DeSantis has a very good chance to win Iowa, even against Trump … so this helps the process.”
The senator said he will still be out campaigning but he will not seek the vice presidential nomination. AFP via Getty Images
While DeSantis and Haley are vying for second place, the 77-year-old Trump is still far ahead in national and early state polls.
“It really reminds everybody that Donald Trump is 30 points ahead and unless these candidates catch up, they’re going to run out of money and support,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean, who added: “This is a blip on the radar for [Trump’s] campaign.”
Throughout his run, Scott sought to present himself as a “happy warrior,” but Bonjean said that messaging didn’t fit the season of the campaign and the needs of GOP voters.
“He refused to enter the waste that Vivek [Ramaswamy], Haley and DeSantis are willing to do with each other,” added Bonjean. “His message doesn’t really appeal to a wide range of voters.”
Scott is the sixth high-profile Republican candidate to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, joining former Vice President Mike Pence, radio host Larry Elder, former Rep. Texas Will Hurd, businessman Perry Johnson and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
