Tim Scott officially launches bid to run NRSC

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) officially rolled out his bid to run the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) on Friday, a move that would put him at the helm of the party’s midterm efforts to maintain and possibly grow its majority next cycle. 

Scott had been mulling a run for the post since mid-October. He is currently the only person in the race for the post. 

“Let’s do this! I’m running for NRSC Chair because two years of a Republican agenda is good, but four years of success under Donald J. Trump is even better,” the former 2024 presidential hopeful said in a statement.

“That means the entire four years of his presidency will create low inflation, secure borders and safe streets, leading to a generation of American prosperity!” he said. “With Donald J. Trump in the White House and Republicans leading the U.S. Senate, we will protect our majority in 2026 and create opportunities for all Americans.”

Scott also won the support of multiple key Senate Republicans, including Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.), the outgoing NRSC chair who received major plaudits from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday for his work this cycle to win Republicans an expected 53-seat majority.

“We took back the U.S. Senate in 2024, and there is no one I trust more to protect the majority in 2026 than Tim Scott,” Daines said in a statement.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the incoming No. 2 Republican in the upper chamber, also lauded Scott in a statement as the “perfect partner” for Trump to help the party’s Senatorial efforts.

“Tim’s inspiring message, record of fundraising, and vision for the party makes him the perfect partner for President Trump,” Barrasso said. “Together, they will protect and grow the Republican Majority. There’s nobody better than Tim Scott.”

Scott, the incoming chair of the Senate Banking Committee, was a presence on the campaign trail for Senate GOP candidates in the final weeks, having made trips to a handful of battleground states.

A Scott super PAC also spent seven figures in a number of those states.

The news came after a number of Senate Republicans — including Sens. Eric Schmitt (Mo.) and Katie Britt (Ala.) — publicly spurned runs to helm the committee.

The 2026 cycle could be a difficult one for Republicans, especially given the history of midterm cycles for the party in power. There are only a couple of pickup opportunities in Democratic seats, headlined by Sen. Jon Ossoff’s (D) in Georgia. 

Two of the biggest races will be for seats occupied by GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Thom Tillis (N.C.). Of the 33 seats on the map, 20 are held by Republicans.

Leadership elections are slated for Wednesday.