Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) will endorse former President Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination on Friday in a blow to fellow South Carolinian, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Scott, who ended his own presidential bid in the fall, plans to endorse Trump at a rally in New Hampshire, just days before the state’s first-in-the-nation primary, a source familiar confirmed to the Washington Examiner.
The choice to back Trump rather than Haley is particularly significant given Haley and Scott’s history. When governor, Haley appointed Scott to the Senate in 2012 to replace former Sen. Jim DeMint.
Haley’s campaign did not provide comment to the Washington Examiner.
Earlier this week, it was reported that both Haley and Trump had called Scott, lobbying for his endorsement ahead of the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24.
The choice to endorse Trump before the Jan. 23 New Hampshire contest could shore up his support among voters considering a switch to Haley after Scott left the race. It’s also likely to assist Trump in ensuring no one else gains traction in South Carolina, given Scott’s approval in the state.
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Scott joins other former candidates, Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) and ex-biotech CEO Vivek Ramaswamy, in backing Trump.
The Trump campaign did not provide comment on whether Scott was being considered as a potential running mate.
