Tim Scott, a U.S. Senator from South Carolina, officially launched his 2024 presidential campaign on May 22, 2023, in Charleston, after forming an exploratory committee in April and filing with the Federal Election Commission in May. His candidacy was historic, as he would have been the first African-American Republican presidential nominee and potentially the second African-American president overall, running on a "positive, aspirational message" that contrasted with former President Donald Trump's bid. During the campaign, he unveiled a 12-point education plan targeting teachers' unions, received large donations from several billionaires in July, and shifted his focus to Iowa in late October, warning he would drop out if he performed poorly there. His low-key style was noted as a weakness in the first Republican debate, where The Hill named him a loser, and he canceled a campaign trip in November due to the flu. Ultimately, Scott suspended his campaign on November 12, 2023, following a poor performance in the Iowa caucuses, ending his bid for the Republican nomination.