Joni Ernst is “very excited” about a potential Tim Scott presidential run. John Cornyn would “advise him to go for it.” And John Barrasso said it “doesn’t get any better than Tim Scott.”

Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, who spent much of Donald Trump’s presidency sticking to his side, said he’s intrigued by the possibility of a Scott presidential bid in 2024 and wants to see “what Tim does” before he makes any endorsements.

Scott would “bring something to the table on day one,” Graham said, adding his South Carolina colleague has “one of the most compelling stories of any Republican out there.”

Scott’s not personally chatty about the prospect of a 2024 presidential run, declining to talk and directing questions to his staff. But his Republican colleagues are buzzing about his massive reelection victory this year, rising national profile, substantial fundraising hauls and cross-country travels for other candidates. And they’re happy to talk him up.

The South Carolinian carved out a unique lane in the GOP, well-liked by mainstream leaders like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell but never publicly at odds with Trump world, even when he’s offered halted criticism of the former president. And as the only Black Republican senator, he’d offer his party a compelling chance to build on its long-running effort to boost diverse candidate recruitment by further appealing to Democratic-leaning constituencies.

Of course, the 2024 Republican presidential primary is already shaping up to be a tough fight.

The anarchic opening month of former President Donald Trump’s bid — including meetings with antisemites and suggesting the Constitution should be terminated — has not narrowed the field of interested candidates. Rather, Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said he thinks Trump’s latest bout of scandals may encourage more members of the GOP conference to take another look at a presidential run, even those who previously said they wouldn’t challenge Trump.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune said he thinks Trump’s latest bout of scandals may encourage more members of the GOP conference to take another look at a presidential run, even those who previously said they wouldn’t challenge Trump.