Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is seriously considering making a run to become chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in 2026, sources told The Hill.
Two Senate GOP sources told The Hill that Scott started making calls to senators over the weekend about a possible bid to lead Senate Republicans’ campaign arm.
“It’s his if he goes forward with it,” one Senate GOP aide said.
A Scott spokesperson confirmed that he is looking into a potential run.
“The Senator is grateful for the encouragement he has received from colleagues to run for chair of the NRSC,” said Nathan Brand, a top Scott political aide. “He is working tirelessly to send Donald Trump back to the White House and take the U.S. Senate, then looks forward to growing the Republican majority in 2026.”
The one-time presidential candidate and top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee has made trips to Nevada and Wisconsin, and is expected to make similar visits to help Senate candidates in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
A Scott super PAC is also spending seven figures across a number of battleground states.
The news came after Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) decided against a run. He was previously considered the lead candidate to take on the thankless role that involves meeting with donors and crisscrossing the country.
He is also being floated as a possible candidate to become attorney general if former President Trump wins in November.
“Senator Schmitt was extremely grateful for support from all corners of the conference but is not going to seek the NRSC chairmanship next Congress,” a senior Schmitt aide told The Hill.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), who also was mulling over a possible run, also signaled that she is not interested in taking on the NRSC role next cycle.
The Alabama Republican is viewed as a prime candidate to be a key part of Republican leadership down the road. She is a part of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) leadership team.
NRSC chair is the lone Senate GOP leadership position that doesn’t have a declared candidate.
The 2026 cycle is also not shaping up to be a fun one for Republicans. There are only a couple of pickup opportunities in Democratic seats, and 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.
It is considered the toughest map since the same crop of senators were up in 2020.
Updated at 12:22 p.m.
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