How Tim Scott could play a decisive role in 2024

Sen. Tim Scott‘s (R-SC) dropped out of the 2024 GOP presidential contest last month, but his presence on the trail hasn’t disappeared.

As the narrow field continues to be dominated by former President Donald Trump, Scott could put the nail in the coffins of other campaigns or boost them with an endorsement of a Trump challenger. Trump is seeking Scott’s support, according to Semafor, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who has long shared an overlapping circle of Republicans in South Carolina, is also vying for Scott’s endorsement.

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A source familiar with the matter told Semafor Haley called Scott on Friday asking for his support.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has called Scott his “friend,” also reached out to the South Carolina senator for an endorsement in the past. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has reportedly been in communication with Scott, but the exact content of their conversation isn’t clear.

Haley and Scott had been fighting for many of the same voters before he ended his presidential run in November. Haley picked up multiple new endorsements in South Carolina recently, and a handful of them were from former supporters of Scott — including Republican state Sens. Shane Massey, Larry Grooms, Katrina Shealy, and Chip Campsen.

Only days after Scott dropped out of the race, DeSantis gathered 10 endorsements from former backers of Scott, including South Carolina state Reps. Bill Taylor and Tom Hartnett Jr. and a number of local officials.

Scott had been polling poorly compared to other Republican contenders and unexpectedly backed out of the race in an announcement on Fox News. This month, the South Carolina senator said he doesn’t plan on endorsing one of his ex-rivals “anytime soon.”

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“I said when I withdrew from the presidential race that I would not be endorsing anytime soon,” Scott said during an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box. “It certainly won’t happen this year, if I do it at all.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to the teams of Trump, Haley, DeSantis, and Scott for comment.