15 South Carolina legislators endorse DeSantis even as their senator, Tim Scott, seeks presidency

Fifteen South Carolina state legislators have endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential race even as their own senator, Tim Scott, runs for the GOP nomination.

DeSantis' campaign announced Thursday that he received the 15 endorsements ahead of his event planned for North Augusta later in the day.

"Governor DeSantis’ leadership has made Florida a refuge for those seeking freedom in a nation where it is under attack," said state Senator Josh Kimbrell, who is one of four senators to endorse DeSantis.

However, Scott still has the endorsements of more than two dozen South Carolina state lawmakers. 

In the latest South Carolina poll released last month, former President Donald Trump is still far ahead of all other primary candidates in the state, with Trump at 43%, DeSantis at 18% and Scott at 12%, according to an American Greatness poll.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.