Presidential Hopeful Tim Scott Shifting Campaign Resources to Iowa

Presidential candidate Tim Scott speaks at the 2023 CAGOP convention in Anaheim, Calif., on Sept. 29, 2023. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) presidential campaign will reportedly start shifting resources away from New Hampshire to Iowa in the hopes of boosting his standing in the leadoff caucus state.

Mr. Scott reportedly plans to open a new state headquarters in suburban Des Moines and double his Iowa staff, though it’s unclear how many of his staff would be moving from New Hampshire. His team will reportedly shift planned TV spending from New Hampshire to Iowa as well.

Following the Nov. 8 GOP presidential debate in Miami, Mr. Scott will also aim to campaign in Iowa every week until the Jan. 15 caucuses. There are less than three months until the first votes of the 2024 election are cast.

“Tim Scott is all in on Iowa; as the candidate with the highest net favorables, Tim Scott is best positioned to compete on caucus day,” Scott’s campaign manager, Jennifer DeCasper said.

“No candidate other than Tim Scott has the resources, the foundation of support, and the message to be successful in the Hawkeye State. We’re all in on Iowa as an important first step on the road to winning the nomination.”

The Iowa caucuses have long been characterized as the first major electoral test for Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls.

The Epoch Times contacted Mr. Scott’s office for further comment but didn’t hear back by time of publication.

Mr. Scott formally announced his bid for president on May 22 during an event in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Former President Donald Trump remains the heavy favorite to win the Republican vote. According to business intelligence company Morning Consult, Mr. Trump has 59 percent of the vote. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-F) has second place with 14 percent. Mr Scott is in second last place with only 2 percent.

Former President Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks during the Georgia state GOP convention at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Ga., on June 10, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Scale-Back of TV Ad Spending

The news of Mr. Scott’s Iowa shift comes amid changes in his campaign strategy. A super PAC backing his presidential campaign announced they were scaling back TV ad spending. This has raised some uncertainty among commentators, as according to Politico tracking, Mr. Scott has yet to qualify for the Nov. 8 GOP presidential debate in Miami.

On the fundraising front, Mr. Scott’s third-quarter fundraising reportedly had a higher than average burn rate, with his campaign spending far more money than it brings in.

Mr. Scott also found himself in hot water after United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Fain alleges that Mr. Scott’s comments, commending former President Ronald Reagan for terminating thousands of federal employees during a 1981 strike, ran afoul of federal labor laws.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain during a Facebook Live address on Oct. 6, 2023. NTD

Mr. Scott responded to the UAW’s complaint in a strongly worded statement to The Epoch Times.

“The UAW is one of the most corrupt and scandal-plagued unions in America,” Mr. Scott said.

“They are showing their true colors once again, and autoworkers and taxpayers will be left holding the bag together. They want to threaten me and shut me up. They don’t scare me.”

Caden Pearson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.