Tim Scott: Republican senator is running for president

Senator Tim Scott has become the latest Republican to join an increasingly crowded 2024 race for president.

Mr Scott, 57, who has represented South Carolina in the chamber since 2013, is promising to offer an optimistic vision for America.

With about $22m (£18m) in cash on hand, he enters the fray with more campaign funds than any of his rivals.

Ex-President Donald Trump is currently the runaway front-runner among Republicans for the party nomination.

Mr Scott, who is black, has often touted his ascent to the US Senate as the grandson of a Deep South cotton field worker as an embodiment of the American dream.

At a launch event in his hometown of North Charleston on Monday, Mr Scott will vow to turn around "a nation in retreat", according to excerpts of his remarks released before delivery.

"Joe Biden and the radical left are attacking every rung of the ladder that helped me climb."

He will add: "We are not in decline. We are in a Biden retreat. So all we need to do is turn around."

Mr Scott will be heading off later this week to Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to vote in Republican primary elections.

He is one of three sitting black US senators in the 100-member body. The Democrats have two.

Having already filed paperwork to run for president with the Federal Election Commission, he has also snapped up $6m of air time in both states. It is the largest single ad buy in the 2024 race to date.

The former insurance salesman joins a field that also includes former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and radio host Larry Elder.

Others such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice-President Mike Pence are also expected to run.

Polls have placed Mr Trump well ahead of the competition, with Mr Scott garnering less than 5% support.