Sen. Tim Scott will endorse former President Donald Trump for another four-year term on Friday, sources said, a move that strikes at fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley as she battles Trump in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.
Trump allies have courted Scott heavily in the days since the Republican nomination frontrunner rolled up a big win in the Iowa caucuses.
Scott, a 2024 candidate himself before bowing out of the race in November, considered a vice presidential possibility for Trump, should he go on and claim the GOP nomination.
Scott is expected to speak at a Trump rally Friday night in Concord, New Hampshire, and to campaign with the former president ahead of Tuesday's primary in Granite State.
Haley, campaigning in New Hampshire, had little initial reaction. Asked about news reports of Scott's endorsement of Trump, Haley said, "we'll wait and see if it happens," and then walked away.
Scott's endorsement is a tough pill for Haley, who has been moving up in New Hampshire polls in her bid to topple Trump.
Trump held a lead of 13.5 percentage as of Friday afternoon, according to the average of recent polls compiled by the website Real Clear Politics.
Haley, the former South Carolina governor, announced the appointment of Scott to a vacant U.S. Senate seat in late 2012. The two were considered political allies for years, but their relationship suffered when both decided to seek the presidency in 2024.
The two engaged in a notably nasty argument during a Republican debate in September.
As Scott criticized Haley's record, the former governor taunted: "Bring it, Tim."
Trump, meanwhile, held off criticizing Scott during the campaign and praised the South Carolina senator after he withdrew from the race in November.
Trump has garnered endorsements from a number of Republican lawmakers in recent weeks and months. His support list includes South Carolina's other U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
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