Tim Scott makes 2024 bid official

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has officially declared himself a candidate for the GOP nomination for president, making him the latest Republican to enter a crowded field that has so far been dominated by former President Trump.

Scott filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Friday, ahead of an expected formal campaign launch on Monday.

Scott, who won reelection in November, is vying for the Republican presidential nomination against Trump, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, among the party’s most high-profile contenders. 

Scott’s entry also makes him the second South Carolinian after Haley to wade into the race.

The Republican primary is expected to be crowded; his entrance into the race comes ahead of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's expected campaign launch next week as well. Other Republicans who have widely been speculated to be running but have not yet officially entered include former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu.

Despite the numerous challengers, recent polling has shown that Trump remains the Republican to beat in the primary as he’s generally held as much as a double-digit lead over DeSantis, who regularly ranks second in hypothetical GOP primary polls. 

The first GOP presidential debate will take place in August in Milwaukee...