South Carolina's Tim Scott drops out of race for GOP presidential nomination, makes no endorsement

Poll averages:  Real Clear Politics

Headline:  Wisconsin State Journal, 11/13/2023

The South Carolina senator made the surprise announcement on “Sunday Night in America” with Trey Gowdy. The news was so abrupt that one campaign worker told The Associated Press that campaign staff found out Scott was dropping out by watching the show. The worker was not authorized to discuss the internal deliberations publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. 

The news comes as Scott continued to struggle in the polls and just days after the third Republican primary debate. The only Black Republican senator, Scott entered the race in May with more cash than any other Republican candidate but couldn’t find a lane in a field dominated by former President Donald Trump.

Scott said he is not making an endorsement of any of the remaining candidates.
 

His 2.5% polling average is down from a peak of 3.6% in mid-June. 

Real Clear Politics

Tim Scott joins Herman Cain (2012) and Ben Carson (2016) on the list of Black GOP candidates who garnered an initial buzz after announcing a candidacy for President but failed to build and sustain it.

Related posts:

Tim Scott is toast and there's nothing he can do about it.  (10/25/2023)

Chris Christie slips ahead Tim Scott with showing in latest Emerson poll.  (8/19/2023)

Nikki Haley and Tim Scott not doing well in their home state of South Carolina.  (5/27/2023)

1.3% of GOP voters are starving for Tim Scott's "optimistic, positive message".  (4/20)