Republican Tim Scott launches 2024 US presidential bid

Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott delivers his speech announcing his candidacy for president of the United States on the campus of Charleston Southern University in North Charleston, South Carolina (Mic Smith/AP)

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has launched his US presidential campaign, offering an optimistic and compassionate message he is hoping can contrast with the two figures who have used political combativeness to dominate the early Republican primary field: former president Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

Mr Scott, the Senate’s only black Republican, kicked off the campaign in his home town of North Charleston, on the campus of Charleston Southern University, his alma mater and a private school affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.