Trump's Spectacular September

In a significant development, South Dakota's Republican senators, John Thune and Mike Rounds, have thrown their support behind Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) as the favored candidate for the 2024 GOP nomination.

This announcement comes ahead of a notable event in South Dakota – former President Donald Trump's scheduled visit on September 8th to hold a "Monumental Leaders Rally" at the iconic "The Monument" venue in Rapid City.

Trump's Busy Schedule and Strategic Shifts

Trump's engagement isn't limited to South Dakota. He's set to address the California Republican Party's fall convention on September 29th near Disneyland. What's striking is the orchestrated rule change in California's GOP primary landscape, designed to favor Trump. The new rules stipulate that if a Republican presidential candidate secures over 50% of the statewide vote, they'll receive the entire batch of 169 delegates. If not, delegates will be allocated proportionally based on the vote.

Scott's Iowa Strategy and Standing

On another front, Sen. Tim Scott has strategically set his sights on Iowa, a pivotal state hosting the first Republican voting event in the 2024 race the January 15 caucuses. Scott's efforts have been notable, featuring multiple town halls and active participation in the Iowa State Fair.

The most recent Des Moines Register-NBC News-Mediacom Iowa poll highlights Trump's strong lead, capturing 42% support from caucusgoers. However, Sen. Scott's position is commendable, securing third place with 9% support, trailing Trump and DeSantis.

What's intriguing is Scott's overall "Iowa footprint," encompassing 53% of potential Republican caucusgoers. This metric includes not only first-choice preferences but also second-choice inclinations and active considerations. This robust support base beyond the first-choice pick showcases Scott's potential for growth, particularly if Trump's prominence in Iowa undergoes shifts in the upcoming months.

In summary, the political landscape is evolving rapidly as endorsements, strategic moves, and polling outcomes shape the trajectory of the 2024 GOP nomination race.