By Rachel Spears — Political Editor

Republican Senator Tim Scott announced his candidacy in the 2024 race for the presidency early Monday morning. 

Scott has represented South Carolina in the Senate since 2012 when he was appointed by then-governor, now political opponent, Nikki Haley. He sits on four committees including the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Scott is the only black Republican in the Senate. He will face a crowded Republican primary field including former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who is expected to announce his candidacy later this week. 

Scott spoke to his supporters in North Charleston, pointing to current cultural trends as the source of political issues. “We need to stop canceling our founding fathers and start celebrating them for the geniuses that they were. They weren’t perfect, but they believed that we could become a more perfect union,” he said. 

He emphasized his humble beginnings, which he claims showcase the American experience. “I was raised by a single mother in poverty. She taught me to have stubborn faith, faith in God, faith in ourselves, and faith in America,” he said in a campaign ad. 

His campaign slogan, “Faith in America” was inspired by that idea.  “I rose from a child of poverty to a candidate for President of the United States,” he added.

Scott has not shied away from attacking Democrats and President Joe Biden. “To the radical left that says we’re an evil, declining country, I say the truth of MY life disproves YOUR lie,” he said. 

“Our party and our nation are standing at a time for choosing. Victimhood or victory? Grievance or greatness? I choose freedom and hope and opportunity,” he said.

The Senator describes himself as a candidate that should be feared. “I’m the candidate the far-left fears the most. You see, when I cut your taxes, they called me a prop. When I refunded the police, they called me a token. When I pushed back on President Biden, they even called me the ‘n-word,’” Scott said.

Scott is well known for his support of parents’ rights when it comes to education. “Every parent who wants a choice. Look to the Republican Party. Look to the GOP, but more importantly, look at Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans – the majority of Americans all agree on school choice,” he said. 

“I will lead a revolution for excellence in our schools. Less C-R-T and more ABCs,” he added. 

He also supports pro life legislation.“If I were President of the United States, I would literally sign the most conservative pro-life legislation that they can get through Congress,” Scott said about a federal abortion ban. 

Senator John Thune (SD), the Senate Minority Whip and No. 2 Senate Republican is expected to endorse Scott over Trump. “It’s clear that running on relitigating the 2020 election is not a winning strategy,” he said.

“[He] obviously helped a lot of people around the country in the last year, raised a lot of money and built a lot of relationships that can be very useful if he does,” Thune added.

Scott’s Republican primary opponent, Trump has not attacked Scott or his politics so far.“Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race. It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!,” Trump said.