Republican Senator Tim Scott halts bid for presidency

Scott's announcement on Sunday night came as a surprise to many of his aides and donors. Even though it was becoming evident that Scott was facing a challenging task to gain momentum, two individuals close to his campaign claimed to have been informed beforehand.

In October, the super PAC backing Scott withdrew its television ad campaign, and after last week's third GOP presidential debate, they chose not to proceed with any new investments.

Scott's chances of becoming president have decreased in recent weeks. This decline began when the super PAC decided to withdraw its advertisements. The Scott campaign stated last month that it was fully committed to focusing on Iowa in order to gain an advantage over his primary opponents in the first GOP nomination contest. Additionally, Scott was the final candidate to meet the requirements for participation in the debate stage in Miami last week, including donor and polling thresholds.

A Republican official who backed Scott informed CNN that while Tim had conveyed an optimistic and hopeful message, it does not align with the current sentiment of the Republican base.

Scott informed Fox News' Trey Gowdy that he will refrain from endorsing any other Republican candidate, as he believes it is most effective for him to withhold his endorsement in the primary.

Scott made it clear that he has no plans to accept a vice presidential nomination, reiterating a stance he consistently expressed during his campaign.

Scott initiated his campaign in May, aiming to deliver an optimistic message amidst a Republican field dominated by prominent figures like former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who depicted America as a declining nation. He made his personal journey a central theme in his campaign, frequently sharing his upbringing in poverty in South Carolina, where he was raised by a single mother. These experiences served as a counterpoint to Democratic arguments across various topics, including criminal justice, education, and economic policies.

With a substantial financial advantage, the South Carolina senator embarked on the race by transforming his Senate campaign account into a presidential fund. This granted him a significant lead of $21 million in fundraising, enabling him to inundate the airwaves with early advertisements in Iowa and New Hampshire. The extent of Scott's television commercials was such that by summer, attendees at campaign events could effortlessly recite lines from his ads.

Scott campaign officials frequently highlighted their substantial funds as a key factor in their journey towards securing the nomination. They asserted that this financial advantage would enable them to continue competing in the South Carolina primary while their opponents would be forced to withdraw due to financial constraints.

However, it was the Scott campaign itself that began to experience pressure during the autumn months. The Trust in the Mission PAC, a super PAC supporting the senator's White House aspirations, decided to cancel the remaining $40 million TV ad reservation. They cited difficulties in effectively reaching Republican voters as the reason behind this decision. This announcement coincided with the release of fundraising reports that revealed the campaign was depleting its cash reserves at a rapid pace.

In response, the Scott campaign shifted its strategy to focus solely on Iowa, reallocating staff and TV ad reservations to the state, and significantly increasing Scott's visits. This change was accompanied by a more aggressive rhetorical approach, as Scott began criticizing President Joe Biden and Republican rivals, including DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. This shift marked a departure from Scott's previous friendly campaigning style.

As one of the most prominent Black Republican politicians in the country, Scott frequently used discussions about race to boost his fundraising and appeal to voters. He often shared his own experiences to suggest that America's struggles with racism were mostly in the past. At the second Republican primary debate in California, Scott made headlines by expressing his belief that the country had moved beyond the history of slavery and Jim Crow-era segregation, while also condemning anti-poverty programs established in the 1960s.

Black families have overcome slavery, poll taxes, literacy tests, and discriminatory laws. However, the challenges posed by President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society program were particularly difficult to endure. This initiative resulted in the removal of Black fathers from households in exchange for government assistance, which has led to negative consequences such as unemployment, crime, and devastation. During the debate, Scott emphasized his devout Christian beliefs, frequently citing Bible verses. He actively engaged with Iowa evangelical voters and community leaders, recognizing their significance as a vital coalition of Republican caucusgoers. Scott took a strong stance in support of a 15-week federal abortion ban and urged his rivals to do the same, receiving praise from anti-abortion groups and prominent evangelical figures.

Scott's withdrawal from the presidential race signifies the most recent development in his political career. It all began in 1995 when he emerged victorious in a special election for the Charleston County Council. He successfully held that position for over a decade until his election to the South Carolina House in 2008. Following a single term as a state lawmaker, Scott claimed a US House seat, representing South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

Subsequently, Scott entered the US Senate in 2013 after being appointed by then-governor Haley to fill the void left by the retirement of GOP Sen. Jim DeMint. He managed to retain the seat through a special election in 2014, securing a full term in 2016, and ultimately triumphing in a second full term in the previous year.

Scott has demonstrated a higher degree of willingness to collaborate with Democrats in Washington compared to other Republicans. He actively engaged in bipartisan discussions on police reform with Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, although these negotiations ultimately fell apart. However, Scott also has a strong conservative voting record in Congress. He rarely opposed former President Trump during his time in office, and during his campaign, he frequently highlighted his conservative positions on taxes, criminal justice, and education.

Throughout his campaign, Scott's criticism of Trump, who was the leading contender for the GOP nomination, was relatively mild compared to his critiques of other primary candidates. He often expressed support for policies implemented during the Trump administration, particularly the 2017 tax cuts which he played a role in drafting in Congress. However, he consistently argued that Trump lacked the necessary backing in crucial swing states to secure a Republican victory in a general election.

Scott hinted on Sunday that he will continue to search for "another opportunity" to initiate a presidential campaign.

This story now includes supplementary details.