Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) officially ended his Republican presidential campaign Sunday night after failing to gain traction among Republican primary voters.
Scott made the announcement during an interview with former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) on Fox News.
“When I return to Iowa, it won’t be as a presidential candidate,” Scott said. “I am suspending my campaign. I think the voters, who are the most notable people on the planet, have been very clear in telling me: ‘not now, Tim.'”
“Romans 8:28 is such an important scripture that says ‘all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose,’” Scott said. “I think the message is clear to me at this point: I am indeed suspending the campaign.”
He said he has no plans to endorse any of the other Republican candidates.
“I’m going to recommend that voters study each candidate and their candidacies and, frankly, their past and make the best decision for the future of the country,” Scott said. “The best way for me to help is to not have a say in who they should support.”
He suggested that he has political ambitions in the future and might run for president again in the future.
Gowdy was shocked by the announcement, as were Scott’s campaign staff.
“A senior official tells me, on condition of anonymity, that this is incredibly frustrating for staff.” saying Associated Press reporter Meg Kinnard. “A large portion of the SC team was sent to Iowa over the last month and now they have to find a way to get them back tomorrow. The staffer added that they had been operating as if he still planned to win and that Tim Scott’s announcement on Fox News caught them by surprise.
Several Republican candidates have dropped out in recent weeks, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, and several lesser-known candidates.
In recent days there have been growing calls for North Dakota Gov. Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to leave office, as neither qualified for the most recent Republican presidential debate.
This report has been updated to include additional information.
