According to a Friday filing with the U.S. election regulator, Republican U.S. Senator Tim Scott has entered the 2024 presidential race in a long-shot gamble that a message of unity and optimism will still appeal in a party where many people want a bare-knuckled war.
Scott, the lone Black Republican in the Senate, uses his childhood as proof that America is still a place of possibility.
His cheery demeanor contrasts with other declared and prospective contenders like former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who have depicted the U.S. as a decaying nation needing rescue from a corrupt Marxist elite.
In a racially divided nation, Scott is a rare Black conservative. In 2020, 92% of Black voters supported Joe Biden, while 55% of white people supported Trump.
Scott has criticized Trump’s racially offensive comments and vetoed several of his court nominees. The South Carolina senator also accused Democrats of using racial tensions for political advantage.
Scott has frequently denied that America is racist, despite having experienced racial prejudice.
Scott faces a tough race.
Polling averages show 2% of Republicans will vote for him in the primary, and his national name recognition is poor. About a fifth of Republicans support DeSantis, who is expected to enter the race soon.
Scott’s odds may be better than expected.
South Carolina, the third state to vote in the Republican nominating contest, is his home state.
Donors like Scott too. People close to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison said he would continue to support the senator.
Andy Sabin, a Republican contributor and metals entrepreneur, told Reuters earlier this month that he was flipping from DeSantis to Scott because of concerns about his electability.
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