exclusive – South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott is being considered as former President Donald Trump’s running mate as he competes in a Republican Senate primary in a key battleground state.
Scott on Wednesday endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan, the former House Intelligence Committee chairman who is leading the August Republican primary to succeed longtime Sen. Debbie Stabe Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election this year.
The seat is one of a handful Republicans plan to flip from blue to red in the fall elections as they work to regain the Senate majority they lost in the 2020 cycle.
“Mike Rogers’ commitment to service has always been to put the American people first. When Mike and I served together, he was a leader who delivered results and worked to expand opportunities for working families and those pursuing the American dream,” Scott said in the book. A statement. “I am proud to support him to become Michigan’s next U.S. Senator because I know Mike will bring his servant leadership to the U.S. Senate.”
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Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump greets Sen. Tim Scott during a Fox News Channel town hall in Greenville, South Carolina, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Scott first shared his support for Rogers with Fox News, his first formal endorsement of Rogers in the Senate race this election cycle, although he has helped raise money for other Republican candidates.
Rogers, an Army veteran who served as an FBI agent before serving in Congress, is endorsed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the campaign arm of Senate Republicans. In March of this year, Rogers received the support of the party’s presidential candidate Trump.
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“Senator Scott has been a strong advocate for conservative values in the United States Senate, and I am honored to have his support,” Rogers said in a statement. “In the Senate, we will work with President Trump to help Michigan families, lower the cost of gas and groceries, and secure the southern border.”
Rogers has also received support in recent months from seven other Republican senators as well as Mike Pompeo, who served as secretary of state and CIA director in the Trump administration. He also has the backing of former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who endorsed Rogers after ending his own bid for the Republican Senate nomination earlier this year.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump listens to a speech by Michigan Senate candidate former Rep. Mike Rogers during a campaign rally in Freeland, Michigan, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Sancya) (AP Photo/Paul Sanya)
As Republicans try to win Michigan’s first Senate election in three decades, they hope to avoid a potentially costly and combustible primary.
But Rogers doesn’t have a field of his own.
The primary also includes wealthy businessman and investor Sandy Pensler, who is making his second run for office and has been spending heavily on ads targeting Rogers. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy endorsed Pensler.
Others running for the Republican nomination include former Rep. Justin Amash, who as an independent voted with Democrats to impeach then-President Trump in 2019 during his first impeachment trial.
The Michigan primary election will be held on August 6.
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Scott is the only black Republican in the Senate and although he failed to run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, he remains a very popular and influential figure in the party.
The senator, known for his aggressive fundraising efforts in his 2022 Senate re-election campaign, has close ties to many leaders in the Republican donor class. The money raised two years ago serves as a down payment on his 2024 national campaign.
In addition to raising money for himself, Scott has been very active in helping fellow Republicans run for office.
During the 2022 cycle, the senator raised nearly $1 million for other candidates and donated more than $1 million to down-the-ballot races. Two outside groups aligned with Scott spent $13 million on senior Senate and House races, while also transferring $5 million to a super PAC supporting Senate Republicans.
A super PAC aligned with Scott announced earlier this month that it would spend $14 million to help Republicans win over black voters.
Get the latest updates on the 2024 campaign, exclusive interviews and more in our Fox News Digital Election Hub.
