DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — South Carolina Sen. ‘s presidential campaign made a significant announcement on Monday. The Republican candidate revealed plans to shift his staff and funding from New Hampshire to Iowa. This strategic move aims to improve his position in Iowa, the leadoff caucus state, with less than three months remaining until the first votes of the 2024 election are cast.
With these changes, Scott intends to establish a new state headquarters in suburban Des Moines and expand his Iowa team. However, the campaign has not disclosed the exact number of individuals relocating from New Hampshire.
“Tim Scott is fully dedicated to Iowa,” stated Jennifer DeCasper, Scott’s campaign manager, in an email.
While likely caucus participants frequently mention Scott as one of the potential candidates, recent polls showed him receiving only single-digit support. He lags far behind the current Iowa front-runner, former President Donald Trump.
Scott’s campaign team believed that his positive demeanor, ability to reference scripture while discussing his Christian faith, and the extensive series of campaign advertisements highlighting his background of poverty in the deep South would make him a strong contender for the influential evangelical Christian bloc within the Iowa GOP.
However, some activists have criticized Scott’s lackluster performance during the first Republican presidential debate in August. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has garnered support from more evangelical pastors and faith leaders.
Since joining the race in May, Scott has already held over 40 campaign events in Iowa and has maintained a prominent presence on media platforms.
In Iowa alone, Scott’s campaign and a super PAC supporting him have collectively spent $13.4 million on advertising this year, as reported by the tracking firm AdImpact. This amount exceeds the advertising expenditures of any other presidential campaign and its supporting super PAC.
When it comes to individual campaign spending, Scott’s team has invested the most in television and digital ads among all candidates. Additionally, the campaign has reserved an extra $1.6 million for TV advertising in the upcoming months.
The super PAC, Trust in the Mission, has secured $7.5 million in ad bookings until January 15, which is the date of the caucuses, according to AdImpact.
Notably, the super PAC Never Back Down, which supports DeSantis, has spent the highest amount on advertising out of all entities in Iowa.
