Republican senator: 'I’m gonna have to reassess' supporting 2024 GOP nominee 'if it’s not' Tim Scott
United States Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) announced his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on May 22nd, 2023, joining a growing crowd of GOP contenders who believe that they can appeal to voters as an alternative to former President Donald Trump.
But Trump holds commanding leads over his competitors in polls and has the loyalty of large portions of the conservative base. Yet some within the party are turned off by his mounting legal entanglements and bombastic rhetoric.
On Sunday, Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) revealed on Meet the Press that Scott is the only White House hopeful who has his full-hearted endorsement — although he notably avoided mentioning Trump.
"Are you resigned to support whoever the Republicans nominate, even if it's the former president?" NBC News moderator Chuck Todd asked.
"Well, right now I'm hoping it's gonna be Tim Scott and if it's not, then I'm gonna have to reassess because I've always supported the Republican nominee in the past. I hope Tim is the nominee. There are gonna be some other good people as well. But I'm gonna hold that back until we find out how Tim does. I'm gonna support Tim Scott at this stage of the game. I think he's got a good shot," Rounds said.
"You know, your lack of the fact that you're not ready to automatically pledge it says a lot. Are you waiting to see what the legal, uh, what the legal issues are with the former president?" Todd wondered.
"Not so much that," Rounds replied, "I just simply think that there are some very good Republican nominees out there and I'm gonna wait and see which one comes out ahead. But I've supported the Republican nominee in the past. I hope I can support the Republican nominee in the future. If it's Tim Scott, I know I can report the nominee. And I think there's a whole lot of Republicans out there and independents who would like to see Tim win this as well."
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\u201cWATCH: @SenatorRounds (R-S.D.) won't commit to supporting the GOP presidential nominee in 2024 if it isn't Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). #MTP\n\nRounds: "I've supported the Republican nominee in the past; I hope I can support the Republican nominee in the future."\u201d— Meet the Press (@Meet the Press) 1685891406
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