U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., will spend a whopping $6 million on commercial ads in key presidential primary states, despite not yet officially entering the race, a senior official on his team said Friday.
Scott will spend an initial $5.5 million to run television ads statewide in Iowa and New Hampshire through the first GOP presidential debate, the official told Fox News Digital. The sizable purchase includes broadcast TV, cable, satellite and radio.
The figure would be the largest purchase of any 2024 Republican presidential candidate to date.
Additionally, Scott will launch a seven-figure digital ad campaign through that period, the official said.
The South Carolina school is Scott’s alma mater.
TIM SCOTT HEADS TO IOWA, NEW HAMPSHIRE AHEAD OF EXPECTED 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
Despite not yet joining the race, Scott spent time in both Iowa and New Hampshire earlier this month.
“I see that America is starving for positive, optimistic leadership,” Scott told CBS News in April.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., launched an Exploratory Committee for President of the United States in April 2023. (Allison Joyce/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
He also said he intends to be a unifying candidate who is focused on solutions more “than anything else.” Scott added that he hopes to share the story of his own humble upbringing, which he says represents the importance of the American Dream.
“I want to provide that alternative not to any specific candidate, but for the American people,” Scott told the outlet. “The difference between me and others, I believe, is that my focus is on the fact that I used to be a kid who didn’t see a future. I used to be a kid that was angry about the cards that I was dealt. I was blessed by a mother who never surrendered. I was blessed by a mentor who always loved and supported my ideal self. And it’s because of those two individuals that I now have greater faith in the future for others.”
Several Republicans have already launched bids to be their party’s nominee, including frontrunner and former President Donald Trump, who announced his intention to seek the presidency for a third time immediately after the November elections last year.
Former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who shares allies and donors with Scott, has also already launched a 2024 presidential campaign.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC, is expected to join a Republican primary contest that already has former President Donald Trump and others. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Larry Elder, who challenged Gavin Newsom for the California governorship, also joined the race earlier this month, as well as former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
He is being challenged by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.