Super PAC supporting Tim Scott cancels fall TV ads as campaign struggles to gain momentum

CNN
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As the South Carolina senator’s candidacy struggles to gain traction in the 2024 Republican primary, a supermarket supporting Tim Scott’s presidential campaign says a memo sent to donors obtained by CNN shows PAC has announced that it will cancel any future television advertising plans.

Confidence in the Mission PAC Co-Chairman Rob Collins said in a memo that the 4,000, which was first conducted in July It said in a memo that it is canceling the remaining $10,000 in television and digital advertising reservations. , first reported by Politico.

“The fall Republican primary is stalled,” Collins said. “Donald Trump leads statistically tied candidates by a large margin. Non-Trump candidates’ vote share fluctuates, but no campaign has achieved the speed of withdrawal. The fundamentals of this campaign have not changed. No: President Donald Trump has it all to himself.”

Collins added: “So we’re doing what we’re supposed to do in the business world, but it’s going to embarrass politicians. Voters aren’t paying attention to alternatives to Trump, or they’re not ready.” “We don’t want to waste money when we can’t do it,” he added. we did the research. We have studied focus groups. We’ve been following Tim. This electorate is locked in and no amount of money spent on mass media will change their mind until very close to the vote. ”

Collins said in the memo that the super PAC will continue to invest money in planning, fundraising and hosting events, including including Scott as a “special guest” at events organized by the group. including, he said, replicating the tactics used by a super PAC supporting the Florida governor. . Ron DeSantis campaign.

Collins said the change in strategy will help Scott, who is looking to increase his appeal in early state nomination races, with a particular focus on Iowa.

“We believe that moving from a media-centric to a grassroots-centric approach is the best use of our funds. This allows us to leverage our greatest asset, Tim Scott himself. ,” Collins wrote in the memo. “Providing Tim Scott the opportunity to interact with as many voters as possible as a guest at TIM PAC events across the Hawkeye State will help his campaign establish itself among caucus attendees. .”

The PAC’s cancellation of media bookings comes as Scott’s campaign struggles to emerge as a viable alternative to Trump. A Fox News poll released last week showed Scott’s approval rating among Republican primary voters nationally at 1%. Scott is not yet eligible to participate in the third Republican presidential debate in November.

Mr. Scott’s campaign is running out of its once formidable cash cow, according to new campaign finance filings. His campaign raised nearly $4.6 million in the third fundraising quarter, but spent $12.4 million, reducing reserves he transferred from his Senate campaign when he ran for president earlier this year.