Arkansas U.S. Senator Tom Cotton has decided against waging a 2024 presidential run, the first Republican aspirant to forgo a bid as former President Donald Trump readies a third White House campaign.
Cotton has informed donors and supporters of the decision in recent days, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named discussing internal deliberations.
Trump is tentatively planning to announce his widely anticipated 2024 campaign for the White House during the week after U.S. midterm elections, according to people familiar with the matter.
Polls show Trump as the front-runner for the Republican nomination should he follow through on the bid. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is widely considered the former president’s most formidable opponent if he also wages a bid. In a Saturday rally in Pennsylvania, Trump attacked the governor, “calling him Ron De-Sanctimonious” and showing a poll in which he dominates the field.
Cotton, along with other Republicans including Senator Rick Scott of Florida and South Carolina U.S. Senator Tim Scott, used the midterm election cycle to campaign on behalf of Republicans, while also expanding their national profiles.
Trump has been discussing the week of Nov. 14 to make his announcement, according to the people, who requested anonymity to describe internal deliberations. The people stressed that the situation is fluid and no specific date for Trump has been chosen.
