Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, is a realist. He knows Donald Trump is virtually certain to be the Republican presidential nominee this year. So endorsing the former president — as Scott did Friday — is politically advantageous and makes Scott a contender to become Trump’s vice presidential running mate.
The withdrawal of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis from the GOP nomination race Sunday and his endorsement of Trump leaves Nikki Haley — the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. under Trump and a former South Carolina governor — as the last candidate standing against Trump.
It will take a political miracle for Haley to snatch the presidential nomination from Trump, who leads in national and state polls. Both Haley and Trump have strongly indicated she won’t be his vice presidential running mate. And the bitter campaign between Trump and DeSantis would seem to rule out Trump making DeSantis his vice presidential pick.
That leaves Scott as one of the Republicans who could become Trump’s VP pick. If a Trump-Scott ticket is elected, Scott would become the second Black vice president in American history, after current Vice President Kamala Harris, who is seeking reelection with President Joe Biden.
Scott appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday to effusively praise Trump, but ducked several tough questions and didn’t rule out becoming Trump’s running mate. It’s hard to believe Scott would turn down the opportunity.
Scott’s Senate term runs until 2029, so he’d keep his seat if a Trump-Scott ticket lost the race for the White House. Scott is young enough to run for president in 2028 when he will be 62, and when a reelected Trump would be constitutionally barred from seeking a third term — or a defeated Trump might be a convicted criminal and…
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