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With 2022 midterms around the corner, there’s no guarantee Scott is even considering a presidential run. But the junior Senator from South Carolina is lining up donors that could signal a power play in the future.
As much as southern Republicans like to fearmonger about out-of-state liberal money, they have no problem chasing out-of-state donors of their own. Scott reportedly met with Larry Ellison in Hawaii.
The billionaire co-founder of Oracle, Ellison, has donated millions to a Super PAC supporting Scott’s interest. Another billionaire donor, Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn, donated $1 million to the Scott Super PAC.
While Super PACs cannot coordinate directly with candidates, they can spend funds during the election cycle. Politico noted that Scott’s campaign committee raised more than any Senate incumbent up for re-election in 2022 in both parties.
Positioning Scott as a potential contender could also be the party hedging its bets. After all, a party focused on a racist culture war needs some diversity to balance things out.
Who better to counter Biden calling out America’s racism than a Black man from South Carolina. It’s the state thought to have handed Biden the Democratic nomination.
He didn’t actually deal with the issues still facing the country today.
Whether coordinated efforts to restrict voting access or deny teaching about America’s racism, Republicans obstruct progress in the present day.
But still, Scott could break into the 2024 primary season as a major contender. Scott is an experienced statesman with the appearance of bipartisan negotiating skills.
Then again, this wouldn’t be the first time major donors were out of step with the party’s base in a primary. And raising top dollars isn’t everything.
Also, some mega-donors may make donations to cover their bases. Taking a meeting or even cutting a check doesn’t mean a donor is all in with a particular candidate.
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