Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott announced late Sunday that he was withdrawing from the 2024 race, about two months before the start of voting in the first caucuses in Iowa.

The South Carolina senator made the surprise announcement

Fox news’

Sunday evening in America with Trey Gowdy. The news came so abruptly that a campaign worker broke it

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The Associated Press reported that campaign staff found out about Scott’s quit by watching the show. The employee was not authorized to publicly discuss the internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The news comes as Scott continues to struggle in the polls and just days after the third Republican primary debate. Scott, the only black Republican senator, entered the race in May with more money than any other Republican candidate but was unable to find a job in a field dominated by the former president.

Donald

Trump.

“I love America more today than I did on May 22,” Scott said Sunday night. But if I go back to Iowa, it won’t be as a presidential candidate. I am suspending my campaign. I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on earth, have been very clear in saying: Not now, Tim.

He added: And so I’m going to respect the voters, and I’m going to persevere and continue to work very hard and look forward to another opportunity.

He said he would not support his remaining Republican rivals.

The voters are very smart,” Scott said. The best way to be helpful is to avoid asking who they should support.

He also indicated that he was not interested in a running mate slot.

“Being vice president has never been on my to-do list for this campaign, and it certainly isn’t on it now,” Scott said.