Tim Scott launches abortion ad aiming at GOP presidential rivals

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) launched a new ad two days before the second GOP debate that subtly takes aim at his 2024 Republican presidential primary rivals over retreating from embracing abortion restriction laws.

The 30-second “Extremist” ad also targeted Democrats for their defense against abortion restrictions and started running on Newsmax on Monday. It’s also part of an $8 million multimedia ad buy that his presidential campaign launched last month.

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“If the radical Left wins, abortions will be performed on minors without their parent’s consent,” Scott says in the ad. “Babies old enough to feel pain will be aborted, and poor single mothers like mine will be told aborting their children would help the economy.”

Scott’s background as the son of a single mother has been part of his campaign narrative since he launched a run for president and throughout his career. His mother has regularly appeared at Scott’s rallies and events and is touted as a hardworking parent who instilled strong morals in her son.

“Yet these people say I’m the extremist,” the senator continues in the ad. “I’m Tim Scott, and I approve this message because some Republicans want to retreat on life. I know life is a gift from God. And this is a fight we must win.”

The South Carolina senator took a sly aim at former President Donald Trump, who has faced widespread backlash from Republicans for saying that Gov. Ron DeSantis‘s (R-FL) six-week abortion ban was a “terrible thing” during a Meet the Press appearance and then said during a recent appearance in Iowa that without restrictions to abortion in the case of rape, incest, or harm to a mother’s life, it could cost Republican more election losses.

“Without the exceptions, it is very difficult to win elections. We would probably lose the majorities in 2024 without the exceptions and perhaps the presidency itself,” Trump said at an event in Dubuque, Iowa, last week.

In the week of Trump’s abortion backlash, Scott has increased his calls for GOP rivals to support a 15-week abortion ban. “Three out of 4 Americans say 15 weeks is the exact right place to be as it relates to stopping radical states like New York, California, and Illinois on having abortion on demand up until the day of birth,” Scott told Hannity last week. “That’s just wrong. We, as a nation, we’re better than that.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence has also embraced a 15-week abortion ban on the campaign and made his anti-abortion stance a key component of his presidential run. Other rivals, such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have stated that the topic should be left to states, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said a federal abortion ban would fail to gain support in Congress and become law.

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Republican candidates will meet onstage at the second GOP primary debate in Simi Valley, California, on Wednesday. Scott has vowed to continue his optimistic approach during the debate.

A RealClearPolitics national poll average shows Scott in the low single digits at 2.5%, but his campaign has noted that his poll numbers in Iowa, the state holding the first GOP nominating contest next year, are higher.