Tim Scott gets first Senate endorsement before White House announcement.

Sen. Mike Rounds Endorses Tim Scott for 2024 Presidential Run

Backing a Fellow Republican

Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) has thrown his support behind Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) as he prepares to launch his campaign for the White House in 2024. Rounds has been effusive in his praise for Scott, calling him the closest thing to Ronald Reagan that we will see. He is the first senator to endorse Scott, who is expected to launch his candidacy in North Charleston on Monday.

Scott’s Message of Faith-Based Optimism

Scott plans to bring a message of faith-based optimism to the 2024 race, which contrasts sharply with the mud-slinging already seen between former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). Trump announced his third run for the White House in November, while DeSantis is expected to make a June campaign launch. Scott is currently polling at 2% among Republican primary voters, while Trump stands at 56% and DeSantis at 20%.

Strong Relationships with Colleagues

Scott has developed strong relationships with his colleagues since joining the upper chamber in 2013, and has picked up a Senate endorsement before DeSantis. Rounds believes that Scott’s message of optimism could resonate among a primary electorate that has in the past gravitated to the brawler persona of Trump. He believes that Scott will bring the country together and make the right decisions.

Widely Praised as an Effective Communicator

Scott is widely praised as an effective communicator who has brought issues of racial justice and school choice to the fore. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) believes that Scott is the right messenger with the right message, while Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) calls him a solid conservative and a godly man.

Most Republicans Stop Short of Endorsement

While many Republicans praise Scott, most stop short of offering an endorsement. Lummis is friendly with DeSantis and has no plans to endorse in the 2024 primary, while Marshall will support whoever wins the primary.