Sen. Tim Scott/ Twitter
Tim Scott, the Black Republican senator from South Carolina, officially announced his candidacy for president on May 22.
As the most prominent Black member of the Republican Party, Sen. Scott, who has also been mocked online by Black users for being “Uncle Tim” whenever he sides with the GOP over the collective voices of the Black community, will face off against frontrunner former President Donald Trump and possibly Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), who has yet to officially enter the race but is close, according to insiders.
The Black Republican, who hails from North Charleston and attended Charleston Southern University, will address supporters at his alma mater.
Senator Scott will also make his rounds to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to kick off his campaign, CNN reported.
While it may seem like Sen. Scott’s road to victory is a long one, the Black Republican has made some historic achievements in his political career.
Then-Rep. Scott was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2013 by Gov. Nikki Haley, who is also running for president in 2024, retained his seat after winning a special election in 2014, and was elected to full terms in 2016 and 2022.
Trump wished Sen. Scott “good luck” in his bid, according to The Messenger, and took a jab at Gov. DeSantis, whom he has nicknamed “Ron DeSanctimonious.”
“[The race] is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable,” Trump stated.
The nickname “Ron DeSanctimonious” reflects how Trump feels about Gov. DeSantis’ close ties to the establishment and his perceived lack of loyalty to him. DeSantis has denied the allegations and said he is a “proud conservative.”
If Trump does not win the GOP nomination, some analysts would say the nomination will be won by Gov. DeSantis, but according to CNN, Sen. Scott, whose political campaign believes in him, says voters looking for a faith-based candidate who promotes optimism set him apart.