Tim Scott drops out of primary, DeSantis applauds: ‘I respect his courage.’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis applauded Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., after the senator suspended his 2024 presidential primary campaign over the weekend.

DeSantis posted on social media that he looks forward to Scott being a “leader in our party [the GOP] for years to come.”

”Tim Scott is a strong conservative with bold ideas about how to get our country back on track,” DeSantis said. “I respect his courage to run this campaign and thank him for his service to America and the U.S. Senate.”

Scott announced his campaign suspension late Sunday night during an interview on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy.

”I love America more today than I did on May 22nd,” Scott said, referencing the day he hosted his campaign kickoff. “But when I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate.”

“I am suspending my campaign. I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that they’re telling me, ‘not now Tim,’” he said.

He reemphasized that he doesn’t believe the voters are saying “no,” but instead simply “not now.”

”So, I’m going to respect the voters and I’m going to hold on and keep working really hard and look forward to another opportunity,” he said.

Scott said that traveling the country and meeting different people has been “one of the most fantastic experiences” of his life.

The senator’s departure from the primary came after he narrowly gained access to the third GOP primary debate in Miami on Wednesday.

According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Scott held roughly 2.5% of the national GOP primary vote.

He also trailed his fellow South Carolinian opponent, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, in all early state polls, including South Carolina.