Sen. Tim Scott signs RNC debate pledge — and Mike Pence says he’ll ink it

Sen. Tim Scott revealed Friday that he has signed the Republican National Committee’s pledge to support the party’s eventual 2024 nominee — and former Vice President Mike Pence said he’ll also ink the requirement to qualify for the first presidential primary debate later this month. 

“I look forward to sharing my positive, optimistic message on the GOP Debate stage in Milwaukee,” Scott (R-SC), 57, tweeted with an image of the signed “Beat Biden Pledge.” 

Pence, 64, intends to sign the loyalty pledge in order to take the stage in Milwaukee on Aug. 23, he told Fox News while roaming the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Friday, adding that he is “confident” he’ll be able to back the GOP standard bearer.  

‘”I’m more than happy to meet the criteria,” Pence said.

“I’m confident I’ll be able to support the Republican nominee, especially if it’s me.”

Both Scott and Pence have already met the RNC’s fundraising and polling thresholds required for participation in the first debate. 

They are expected to be joined on stage by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, 44, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy,38, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, 51, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, 67, who have all signed the oath and have met the polling and fundraising requirements. 

Former President Donald Trump and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have met the donor and poll requirements but have yet to sign the pledge. 

Trump, 77, told Newsmax on Wednesday that he will announce his decision on whether to debate next week while vowing not to sign the pledge. 

“I wouldn’t sign the pledge. Why would I sign a pledge? There are people on there that I wouldn’t have. I wouldn’t have certain people as, you know, somebody that I’d endorse,” Trump said. 

“I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president. So right there, there’s a problem,” he added. 

Christie, 60, has also panned the RNC’s pledge requirement but has signaled he’ll sign the document just to get on stage. 

“I’ll take the pledge in 2024 just as seriously as Donald Trump took the pledge in 2016,” Christie has declared. 

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in April that she decided to mandate the pledge in an effort to prevent intraparty infighting during the primaries and general election — and to stave off a potential third-party split.

Candidates who sign the pledge are also required to only attend RNC-sanctioned debates and may not run as independents or write-in candidates.

Candidates who have met the RNC’s polling and fundraising requirements have until 48 hours before the debate to reserve their spot on the stage.

Presidential hopefuls in jeopardy of not being allowed to debate include former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, 72, who hasn’t met the fundraising requirements, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, 45, and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, 75, both of whom haven’t hit the polling minimums, according to reports. 

Conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder, 71, and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, 45, have not met any of the RNC’s requirements for earning a debate podium nod.