CONCORD, N.H. – South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on Friday endorsed former President Trump in the race for the 2024 Republican nomination.
Scott, who ended his White House bid in November, joined the former president in announcing his support for Trump at a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, on Friday night.
“We need a president who doesn't discriminate between black and white. We need a president who sees Americans as one American family,” Scott said. “That's why I came to the very warm state of New Hampshire to support the next president of these United States, President Donald Trump.”
After the rally, Scott said in an interview on Fox News: “It's time to unite our party to make sure the only goal we're talking about is removing Joe Biden from office. It won't take more than four years.” “We don't know if it's going to take another 10 months. The best way to remove Joe Biden from office is to unite the party behind Donald Trump now.”
Ron DeSantis claims Tim Scott's support for Donald Trump is 'a blow' to Nikki Haley
Sen. Tim Scott (R.C.) speaks as Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump looks on at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire, Friday, January 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Both Mr. Trump, the leading contender for the Republican nomination, and Nikki Haley, a former ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor, have called the senator in recent days in an attempt to secure Mr. Scott's support. Officials confirmed that he had done so.
Haley turns up heat on Trump as she tries to close the gap with Republican front-runner
“She texted me. I responded. We talked on the phone, she texted me again. I responded,” Scott told Fox News.
Although Scott's presidential campaign has not been exciting, he remains extremely popular among Republican primary voters and his support is coveted by the remaining Republican candidates.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott is interviewed by Fox News Digital in the spin room after the third Republican presidential nomination debate in Miami on November 8, 2023. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
As Scott concludes his presidential bid, he has made it clear that he has no immediate plans to support another candidate. But political associates of the senator told Fox News at the time that the senator was prepared to support the candidate.
Scott's support for Trump was something the senator rarely criticized during his campaign for the White House, but Scott said the state is hosting the first southern primaries for the Republican nomination. It was the latest major endorsement for Mr.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) have long supported Trump.
Presidential election moves toward rematch between Biden and Trump, with no labels preparing for potential third-party tickets
The state's Feb. 24 Republican presidential primary is the next major race on the Republican calendar, following Tuesday's New Hampshire primary. The contest is winner-take-all, with the winner of the Palmetto State receiving all 50 Republican delegates at issue.
Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, kicked off his presidential campaign in May with an event in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Sen. Tim Scott (RS.C.) hugs his mother, Frances Scott, as he announces his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination at a campaign event in North Charleston, South Carolina, May 22, 2023. (Alison Joyce/Getty Images)
Standing just a few miles from where he grew up, Scott said, “We know that a child raised in poverty by a single mother in a small apartment may one day serve in the House of Peoples.'' “I live in a place where it is possible for me to become a member of the Diet.” White House. “
“I was struck by the hunger for something positive, as long as it's rooted in conservatism. As long as it has a backbone,” the senator told Fox News at the time.
But his positive and uplifting message has often put a spotlight on Trump's grievances during his third consecutive White House bid, a pugnacious Republican presidential candidate dominated by Trump. He was unable to evoke sympathy in the nomination contest.
Haley claims DeSantis is 'invisible'
By late fall, Scott was struggling to qualify for debates and his poll numbers remained in the single digits.
On Nov. 12, Scott appeared on Fox News' “Sunday Night in America” with Trey Gowdy and announced that he was ending his bid for the White House.
“I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have made it clear to me that they're saying, 'Not now, Tim,'” Scott said.
From left: Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and businessman Vivek DeSantis on stage before the third Republican presidential primary debate with Adrienne Arsht. Ramaswamy, Senator Tim Scott (RS.C). November 8, 2023, Miami-Dade County Performing Arts Center in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Haley and Scott have long political histories. The two served together in the state legislature and in 2012 became then-governor. Mr. Haley was appointed by then-Rep. Scott will move to the Senate to fill the vacancy.
Fox News' Jessica Loker contributed to this report
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
