U.S. Sen. Tim Scott on Monday filed the formal paperwork to run in South Carolina's Feb. 24 Republican presidential primary.
The North Charleston Republican is now the fourth candidate to file for the first-in-the-South primary ballot.
He follows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
"It's always good to be home, but it's good to be in a room with a bunch of supporters who love America like I do," Scott told dozens of supporters Monday at Columbia's Doc's BBQ. "Let us never forget, ever forget, we have been blessed with the greatest citizenship of all of the earth."
Upon arrival, Scott gave some quick remarks to the crowd.
He thanked law enforcement and touched on Hamas' attack last weekend on Israel. The massacre has left more than 1,300 Israelis dead and 30 Americans. Another 13 Americans are still unaccounted for, according to the U.S. State Department.
More than 2,000 Palestinians have also died.
"Last Saturday reminded me of the value of our citizenship," Scott said.
Scott on Monday brushed aside a reporter's question about low poll numbers.
The South Carolinian hasn't seen a real surge in recent polls, compared with his state counterpart, former Gov. Nikki Haley. An Oct. 2 POLITICO report, titled, "Tim Scott's team to donors: Just wait until South Carolina," reported Scott's advisors have lobbied donors to stick with the junior senator until the S.C. primary.
"The harder we work, the luckier we get. I am so excited to be home in South Carolina. We continue to have a positive message. Hope and opportunity goes a long way," Scott told reporters Monday. "We need a candidate who will restore hope, create opportunities and unite our country. I thank God that I'm that candidate."
The next GOP debate is set for Nov. 8 in Miami, Florida.
To qualify, candidates are required to have campaign contributions from at least 70,000 unique donors, and must register at least 4% in two national polls or in one national poll and one early-voting state poll, according to NBC News, which will host the next debate.
Asked about that high bar, Scott responded Monday, "We'll see you in Miami."
