After Iowa had its say on Monday night, some of the Republican presidential hopefuls are turning their eyes to South Carolina which holds its primary on Feb. 20, eleven days after New Hampshire holds its primary.
While there’s a fierce battle for second in New Hampshire, Donald Trump has a commanding lead in the polls. With only a week to go until the primary, Republican hopefuls are placing bets on New Hampshire while not forgetting about South Carolina.
After winning Iowa on Monday night, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, looked to keep his momentum going. On Tuesday, Cruz had a town hall scheduled for Windham, New Hampshire before jetting down to South Carolina for a rally in Greenville. Cruz is scheduled to return to New Hampshire with an even at New England College on Wednesday morning followed by a series of events in the Granite State in the days to come.
Cruz unveiled an endorsement to help boost his chances in the Palmetto State on Tuesday as U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-SC, announced his support.
“We have the best Republican presidential field that we've had in a generation. We have a number of candidates who would make an excellent commander-in-chief,” Duncan said. “But I’m reminded of a lesson my grandfather always taught me, that it’s best to judge a man not by his words but rather by his actions. I haven’t been in Washington long, but I have learned that it is a place filled with people who say one thing to get elected and do the opposite once they get there. That is why when deciding who to support, I’m looking for a candidate who has a record that matches their rhetoric and a history of following through on their word. I believe that candidate is Sen. Ted Cruz.
“I didn't run for Congress to make friends, I ran to fight to restore the America that we love,” Duncan added. “Sometimes in these fights I've been in the majority, other times I’ve been in the minority, and often I'm one of a few. But I've never been alone, and that is because Ted Cruz has been in the middle of nearly all of those fights with me. I believe Ted Cruz is the right candidate for the right time in our country's history. A proven leader and a consistent conservative who will fight the Washington cartel and stand up for the American people. Ted doesn't just talk about the Constitution, he's lived it and defended it tirelessly. I believe Ted’s record sets him apart on this race and it is why I am proud to support him for president of the United States.”
“Jeff has spent every day that he’s been in Congress fighting for the liberties of his constituents,” said Cruz. “He is a tremendously important voice for freedom and a champion for conservative principles. He has fought tirelessly to repeal Obamacare, to stop Obama's lawlessness and to protect life and marriage. I am thrilled to have his support and look forward to working to bring conservatives together to win the White House in 2016.”
But Cruz was not the only Republican hopeful to reel in an endorsement to boost his chances in South Carolina. After his surprisingly strong third place in showing in Iowa on Monday night, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., turned his attention to South Carolina on Tuesday, unveiling an ad featuring U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC, endorsing him.
In the new ad, Scott stresses the importance of the 2016 election and insisted Rubio will help boost America.“He takes us to that better future,” Scott says about Rubio.
Scott also looked to rally Republicans against former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, the favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination, and insisted Rubio could beat her in November.
“We have one shot in 2016 to beat Hillary Clinton," Scott says in the video. “That shot is Marco Rubio.”
On his end, Trump will rely on former Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, who told CNN on Tuesday she would "definitely" take to the stump in South Carolina. "I think he's going to do, personally, well in New Hampshire and South Carolina,” Palin told CNN about Trump’s chances in the upcoming primary.
Trump is leading the polls in South Carolina but some of the other candidates are hoping to make a breakthrough there. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., has the support of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, while Rubio also has the support of U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-SC. Despite finishing with 1 percent in Iowa, a state he won four years ago, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., announced on Monday night he would tour all 46 counties in South Carolina.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
