In a strategic play for political support in South Carolina, Governor Ron DeSantis has swept up a series of endorsements from key figures who previously supported Senator Tim Scott’s presidential bid. This move comes as the 2024 GOP primary intensifies, with candidates vying for dominance in the crucial early-voting state. The new backing has invigorated the Florida governor’s campaign, as shared with The Associated Press, signalling a shift in the state’s political allegiances and underscoring the competitive nature of the Republican field.
“Ron DeSantis is the leader we need for this exact moment,” declared South Carolina state Rep. Tom Hartnett Jr., aligning with DeSantis, Rep. Bill Taylor, and several municipal-level elected officials. These endorsements, once pledged to Sen. Scott, are now fortifying DeSantis’ position against a backdrop where former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are also maneuvering for support.
With 68 endorsements from elected officials in South Carolina, DeSantis’ campaign is touting a lead over other presidential candidates in the state. The campaign’s strategic acquisition of support seems timely as it coincides with DeSantis’ scheduled return to South Carolina on December 1 for multiple campaign events and to accept the Nathan Hale Patriot Award at The Citadel Republican Society’s annual dinner.
The endorsement shift follows Sen. Scott’s sudden withdrawal from the presidential race. This withdrawal responded to the electorate’s message of “Not now, Tim,” as Scott remarked on his friend Trey Gowdy’s Fox News Channel show. This move echoed Mike Pence’s earlier campaign suspension, leaving the GOP field grappling with Trump’s commanding lead despite his legal entanglements.
Governor DeSantis’ campaign has made a significant leap forward in South Carolina, leveraging Sen. Tim Scott’s surprise exit and capturing his former endorsers’ support. As the GOP continues to prepare for the first-in-the-South Feb. 24 primary, DeSantis’ endorsements reflect a dynamic and unpredictable race. Whether these endorsements will translate into primary success and pose a substantial challenge to Trump’s current lead remains an unfolding narrative in the 2024 presidential campaign.