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Former President Donald Trump is the runaway favorite to win the
Republican primaries that kick off on Jan. 15 in Iowa.
However, Trump has shown some weakness among Iowa's crucial
evangelical voters, a trend Scott and other presidential
contenders, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, are hoping
to capitalize on.
Describing the evangelical lane as "wide-open," Scott's campaign
said on Monday they were doubling their staff in Iowa and
increasing advertising spend in the midwestern state. Following
the next debate on Nov. 8, Scott will travel to Iowa every week
ahead until January vote, his campaign added.
The decision is reminiscent of DeSantis' do-or-die approach to
Iowa. The DeSantis campaign has relocated one-third of its
campaign staff to Iowa and has committed to a $2 million TV ad
buy to run through the caucuses.
DeSantis' much-anticipated presidential bid is sputtering after
missteps and relentless targeting by Trump, while Scott's never
truly got off the ground. The only Black Republican in the U.S.
Senate, Scott has run a presidential campaign focused on
optimism that has struggled to compete against the more
aggressive approaches put forward by Trump and DeSantis.
Scott has also been eclipsed since former South Carolina
governor Nikki Haley's strong debate showings. Haley is now in a
battle with DeSantis for donors and voters to become the leading
Trump alternative.
Scott attracted 2% support among Republicans, according to
Reuters/Ipsos polling conducted from Sept. 8 through Sept. 14.
(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
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