Senator Tim Scott (R., S.C.) announced Sunday night that he would be suspending his presidential campaign. During an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy, the senator hinted at a future run while saying that now was not his time.
“My 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, but I do think they’re saying ‘Not now,'” he said.
Gowdy, who said he was unprepared for Scott’s announcement, asked Scott, “You have the highest approval numbers of any candidate that is running, and you’re a couple of states away from coming to a state where you are beloved . . . and you’re suspending your campaign?” Scott answered by quoting Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
The RealClearPolitics national polling average had the South Carolina senator in sixth place behind former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. Nonetheless, the announcement surprised observers who expected to see Scott keep in the race at least until Iowa, where his polling, at 6.7 points, was sufficient for a fourth-place position.
However, as early as mid October, signs indicated the Scott campaign was in distress. National Review‘s Jim Geraghty observed that Scott’s independent super PAC began canceling much of its TV advertising. Scott’s campaign was spending far beyond its means in October, with a 260 percent burn rate as it searched for traction. The Dispatch‘s David Drucker noted on November 10 after the Miami debate: “It’s easy to ID candidates especially struggling in the GOP primary. They show up in the spin room, post-debate & make the interview rounds.” Tim Scott was one such candidate.
With Tim Scott leaving the race, five remain in contention: Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie.