--- title: Iowa Caucus: South Carolina's Tim Scott to Back Marco Rubio description: It's a highly coveted endorsement going into the South Carolina primary canonical: https://time.com/4203605/iowa-caucus-marco-rubio-tim-scott-south-carolina/ author: Charlotte Alter article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-02-02T02:41:48.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:00:29.916Z article:section: Politics og:title: South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to Endorse Marco Rubio og:description: It's a highly coveted endorsement going into the South Carolina primary og:url: https://time.com/4203605/iowa-caucus-marco-rubio-tim-scott-south-carolina/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt02c596a70aa95e4b/69887babcd1bba9b096ff379/tim-scott-marco-rubio-endorsement.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Sen. Tim Scott og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to Endorse Marco Rubio twitter:description: It's a highly coveted endorsement going into the South Carolina primary twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt02c596a70aa95e4b/69887babcd1bba9b096ff379/tim-scott-marco-rubio-endorsement.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to Endorse Marco Rubio  by [Charlotte Alter](https://time.com/author/charlotte-alter/)  ## Charlotte Alter Senior Correspondent Feb 2, 2016 2:41 AM UTC  Sen. Tim Scott, r-S.C., on Feb. 9, 2015. Sen. Tim Scott, r-S.C., on Feb. 9, 2015.Bill Clark—CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images  by [Charlotte Alter](https://time.com/author/charlotte-alter/)  ## Charlotte Alter Senior Correspondent Feb 2, 2016 2:41 AM UTC South Carolina Senator Tim Scott is set to [endorse](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/politico-breaking-news-sc-sen-tim-scott-to-endorse-marco-rubio-218579) his fellow Senator Marco Rubio following [the Iowa caucuses](http://time.com/4203203/iowa-caucus-results-2016-donald-trump-ted-cruz-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders/), a GOP source familiar with the situation said, giving Rubio the backing of a key Republican leader in the state as the race moves past Iowa. As the only black Republican in the Senate and a popular Senator with [high approval ratings,](http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/tim-scott/) Scott’s endorsement has been widely coveted by Republican presidential contenders, especially in the weeks leading up to the South Carolina primary later this month. News of the endorsement was first reported by [Politico](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/politico-breaking-news-sc-sen-tim-scott-to-endorse-marco-rubio-218579). The move, which broke during the Iowa caucuses, could help Rubio consolidate support from Establishment-friendly Republicans following a likely win in Iowa by either Ted Cruz or Donald Trump. Mainstream GOP leaders hope that the multiple candidates competing in the so-called Establishment late — including Rubio, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and John Kasich — will winnow after the New Hampshire primary next week. ### See Pictures From a Week of Campaigning in Iowa  Ted Cruz greets supporters at his rally in Des Moines, Iowa on Jan. 31, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Rubio walks off his bus towards the pub. Marco Rubio spoke to supporters at a campaign rally at the Wellman's Pub and Rooftop in Des Moines Iowa on Wednesday evening, January 27th 2016\. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME) Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Hillary Clinton campaigns with Bill Clinton in Davenport, Iowa, on Jan. 29, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Bernie Sanders addressed students at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines Iowa on Thursday morning, January 28th 2016\. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME) Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally and concert in Iowa City, Iowa on Jan. 30, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Donald Trump held a benefit rally/campaign rally for the Wounded Warriors, a charity organization for Veterans, at Drake University in Des Moines Iowa on Thursday morning, January 28th 2016\. The event was timed to coincide with the Republican debates on Fox which he declined to attend. His event was attended by supporters, veterans and donors, as well as fellow candidates Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME) Natalie Keyssar for TIME  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to supporters at a campaign town hall in Pella, Iowa, on Jan. 29. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Ben Carson speaks to supporters in Iowa City, Iowa, on Jan. 29. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, campaign at the Crossroads shooting range in Johnston, Iowa on Jan. 30, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Martin O'Malley walks during a canvas launch at a supporter's home in Johnston, Iowa on Jan. 31. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally in Davenport, Iowa, on Jan. 29, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio appeared at a caucus event with his family on Feb. 1, 2016, at the 7 Flags Event Center in Clive, Iowa. Natalie Keyssar for TIME  Donald Trump greets supporters at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 26, 2016. 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