Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is out with a new ad that simultaneously calls out the Chinese Communist Party for buying Iowa farmland and lauds the senator's support for ethanol, an alcohol fuel mostly made from corn that is important to politically powerful farmers in the state.
It's part of a $6 million ad buy Scott's campaign launched in May that is set to run in Iowa and New Hampshire, home to the first caucuses and primary in the GOP nominating schedule next year, through the first Republican National Committee primary debate next Wednesday. The South Carolina senator's campaign said at the time that in addition to the television and radio spots, Scott would launch a seven-figure digital ad campaign over the same time period.
UP FOR DEBATE: TRUMP, DESANTIS, AND OTHER 2024 GOP HOPEFULS' STANCE ON SECOND AMENDMENT
"Sen. Tim Scott is a conservative fighter for American farmers. Tim Scott supports the renewable fuel standard and believes E15 should be sold year-round," the narrator of the ad says. "Scott is working to pass a new farm bill that will strengthen our food security and create economic growth in rural communities, and he's fighting to stop the Chinese Communist Party from buying up our farmland."
Scott, who entered the 2024 race with $22 million in cash on hand, is leaning into campaigning in Iowa, a crucial nominating state that any viable candidate will need to win in order to dethrone former President Donald Trump's front-runner status in the primary. Like Trump, Scott is touting his support for ethanol in the Hawkeye State due to the importance of farmers who will help determine early momentum for presidential candidates during next year's Iowa caucuses.
"I have the deepest appreciation for the hardworking farmers who feed our nation and fuel our cars," Scott said in the ad. "As president, I'll support the production of ethanol and other homegrown biofuels. I will stop China from buying our farmland, and I will fight for fair trade to ensure our farmers have access to foreign markets. God bless Iowa and the bountiful harvest you provide to our nation each and every year."
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Scott isn't the only candidate who has made bashing China's encroachment on U.S. farmland a key component of their campaign. Other candidates, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), have all criticized China's growing global influence.
A New York Times/Siena College poll released earlier this month showed Scott polling in third place among Iowa GOP voters at 9%, behind Trump at 44% and DeSantis at 20%.