Who is Tim Scott, the only Black Senate Republican who launched 2024 US Presidential bid?

2024 US Presidential election:  With over a year left for the US presidential elections in 2024, politicians have started launching their campaigns. A new name has been added to the list. On May 22 (Monday), South Carolina's Republican Senator Tim Scott launched his presidential campaign, formally joining the race for the White House. He joins the former US president Donald Trump, former US envoy to United Nations Nikki Haley, conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

Scott is the only Black Senator from the Republican party in the US Congress.

During the formal launch event, the 57-year-old politician mentioned his own personal story and experiences. He said he is the grandson of a cotton field worker raised by a single mother, and described how his family went from "cotton to Congress." He even shared his own racial division incidents, like how he was pulled over by police seven times in a year for being Black and was even stopped inside the US Capitol building. 

As per BBC, Scott is entering the bid with $22 million in hand, which surely is much more than most of his rivals. However, as per national opinion polls, he is garnering less than 5 per cent support in the race.

Here's everything you need to know about the newest US presidential candidate:

Tim Scott: Life & Political Career

Born on September 19, 1965, Timothy Eugene Scott is an American businessman and politician who is currently serving as a junior United States senator from South Carolina state since 2013.

Before becoming a Senator, he was elected to the US House of Representatives from South Carolina's 1st congressional district, where he served from 2011 to 2013. 

He is the first African-American senator from South Carolina and the first African-American senator to be elected from the southern United States since 1881.

His most important legislative contributions includes working with Senator Cory Booker to pass a bill to make "lynching a federal hate crime."

Faith in America

In Scott's own words, he is a "living proof that America is the land of opportunity, not a land of oppression. The truth of my life disproves their lies."

Raised by a single mother, Scott said he became a believer again and claimed his faith is an integral part of his political and personal narrative, where he believes that being a positive catalyst can bring in change.

During his campaigns and stump speeches, he often used "Faith in America" to describe his appearance before joining the bid. 

Scott in his presidential bid vowed to turn around "a nation in retreat."

Tim Scott's Presidential Bid Money:

Before joining politics, Scott was an insurance advisor. He also owns an insurance agency, Tim Scott Allstate.

As Scott is coming with much more money than his rivals, there are other organisations with million to support him and his efforts. 

A pro-Scott action committee named Opportunity Matters Fund spent over $20 million to help Republicans in 2022 and reported $13 million plus in hand for 2023. 

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.