Senator Tim Scott hints at presidential bid at Drake

Senator Tim Scott addressed a crowd of students on Wednesday in the Cowles Library Reading Room about current issues facing the nation.

In a speech that echoed a presidential campaign speech, Scott, who represents South Carolina, continued his “Faith in America” political tour by visiting Drake to talk about a number of issues, including abortion, inflation, America’s borders and crime. 

He also discussed his faith and how it has been a cornerstone in his life. This is Scott’s second speech during his “Faith in America” tour.

During the speech, Scott addressed inflation during the Biden administration, as well as other issues Democrats have been working on during the new presidential administration. 

“If you want a blueprint to ruin America, let Joe Biden and the Democrats do what they’ve been doing for the past two years,” Scott said.

Scott attacked Democrats for critiquing the controversial Georgia voter law, the Election Integrity Act of 2021 after President Joe Biden called the law “Jim Crow in the 21st century.” The controversial Election Integrity Act of 2021 was critiqued by many democrats after the law included tightening ID in order to vote and restrictions on absentee ballots.

Scott claimed the law wasn’t oppressive and had the opposite effect, producing a “record turnout and shorter lines in the 2022 election in Georgia.”

Scott also addressed critical race theory being taught in public schools, saying he wanted kids to “be taught ABCs, not CRT.” He also criticized public schools and what is allegedly being taught to the nation’s youth.

“Parents, you do not pay property taxes to let teachers tell your kids there are 100 genders but only one ideology,” Scott said.

Scott also referenced the accomplishments of himself and other Senate Republicans during the Trump administration, including the 2017 tax bill that lowered tax rates for most income brackets and the top 1% of earners in the U.S. He also addressed how, under the previous Republican administration, the unemployment rate among those who identified as Hispanic or Latino fell to a record low before the pandemic. The unemployment rate among women fell to its lowest point since World War II.

Scott kicked off the tour in his home state of South Carolina on Feb. 16, spurring speculations in the political world about a potential 2024 presidential bid.

If Scott decides to enter the race, he will enter a small field of Republican candidates, including former President Donald Trump and former Ambassador to the United Nations (and former South Carolina Governor) Nikki Haley. 

There is speculation that more Republicans will announce their campaigns before the primaries, such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In an interview with The Villages, former Vice President Pence did not shut down the idea of a presidential run.

“I think we’ve got time,” Pence said.

Scott will join a potentially crowded field of Republican candidates who hope to succeed President Joe Biden. Whether or not the incumbent president decides to run for re-election, Scott will face a lengthy campaign and many primary challenges in the months to come if he decides to enter the race.