Sen. Tim Scott has officially launched his presidential exploratory committee, the clearest sign yet of his intentions to run for the GOP ticket in 2024.

“I will never back down in defense of the conservative values that make America exceptional, and that’s why I’m announcing my exploratory committee for president of the United States,” Scott (R-S.C.) said in a video first circulated Wednesday morning.

The GOP senator has teased a presidential bid in recent months. If he enters, Scott will face a number of Republican heavyweights, including former President Donald Trump and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, as well as tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Other likely but undeclared GOP candidates include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former national security adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.