Exclusive – South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, who is being considered as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, is involved in the GOP Senate primary in the key battleground state.
Governor Scott on Wednesday endorsed former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, a former House Intelligence Committee chair who is the leading candidate in the August Republican primary to succeed veteran Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who is not seeking reelection this year.
The seat is one of a handful that Republicans are aiming to flip from blue to red in the fall elections in an effort to reclaim the Senate majority they lost in the 2020 election.
“Mike Rogers’ dedication to service has always been to put the American people first. During the time Mike and I served together, he was a leader who delivered results and fought to expand opportunity for working families and those pursuing the American Dream,” Scott said in a statement. “I am confident that Mike will bring his servant-leadership skills to the United States Senate, and I am proud to endorse him to be Michigan’s next United States Senator.”
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Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump turns his attention to Sen. Tim Scott, R.S.C., during a Fox News Channel town hall, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, in Greenville, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Scott’s endorsement of Rogers was first reported by Fox News, and while he has helped raise funds for other Republican candidates, this is his first formal endorsement of a Senate race this election cycle.
Rogers, an Army veteran who was a former FBI special agent before joining Congress, has the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the campaign arm of Senate Republicans, and in March won the endorsement of Trump, the party’s presumptive presidential nominee.
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“Senator Scott has been a great defender of conservative values in the United States Senate, and I am honored to have his support,” Rogers said in a statement. “In the Senate, we will continue to work with President Trump to help Michigan families, lower gas and grocery prices, and keep our southern border secure.”
Rogers has also been endorsed in recent months by seven other Republican senators, former Trump secretary of state and CIA director Mike Pompeo, and former Detroit police chief James Craig, who endorsed Rogers after he dropped out of the Republican Senate race earlier this year.
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump listens to former Michigan U.S. Sen. candidate Mike Rogers speak during a campaign rally in Freeland, Michigan, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancia) (AP Photo/Paul Sancia)
Republicans are seeking to win Michigan’s first Senate election in 30 years and hoped to avoid a costly and potentially confusing primary election.
But Rodgers isn’t hogging the field.
Also running in the primary is Sandy Pensler, a wealthy businessman and investor who is running for the presidency for the second time and has spent heavily on advertising targeted at Rogers. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami has also endorsed Pensler.
Another potential Republican candidate for the nomination is former Rep. Justin Amash, who, as an independent, voted with Democrats to impeach then-President Trump in his first impeachment trial in 2019.
Michigan’s primary election will be held on August 6th.
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Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 but remains a hugely popular and influential figure within the party.
The senator, known for his ferocious fundraising for his 2022 reelection, has strong ties to many key players in the Republican donor base. The money he raised two years ago served as a down payment on his 2024 national election bid.
In addition to raising money for himself, Scott has been active in helping his Republican colleagues run for office.
In the 2022 election cycle, Senator Scott raised nearly $1 million for other candidates and donated over $1 million to lower-ranking races, while two outside groups aligned with Senator Scott spent $13 million on primary Senate and House races and sent $5 million to the top super PAC supporting Senate Republicans.
A super PAC affiliated with Scott announced earlier this month that it would spend $14 million to help Republicans expand their support among black voters.
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
