Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), 58, is no longer a bachelor. Shortly after dropping out of the Republican presidential primary, Scott proposed to his fiancée Mindy Noce, 47, at a beach on Kiawah Island in South Carolina.
Scott credited her faith with his decision to marry Noce. “In our first conversation that went about an hour and a half or two, we ended up deciding to do a Bible study together,” he told the Washington Post.
Scott’s status as the only un-married Republican presidential candidate came up repeatedly throughout his campaign. And the fact that he decided to keep his then-mystery girlfriend, Noce’s identity a secret — even reportedly from close friends, did not help quiet the news cycle.
The newly engaged Senator had a big week for other reasons as well. The day before he proposed to Noce, Scott formally endorsed former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire— placing him firmly in the running for a Vice Presidential pick.
Scott’s evangelical movement bonafides and enthusiastic support for the former President — even as he challenged him for the presidency, make him a strong contender for the position.
However, the timing of the proposal and Scott’s endorsement of Trump have made some internet skeptics speculate that the two could be more closely aligned than they appear.
Based on the scrutiny placed on Scott during the primary about his unmarried status, some have begun to wonder whether the engagement is primarily about romance or about being a more attractive Vice Presidential candidate.
To be clear, this is all speculation. Neither the Scott campaign nor the Trump campaign have publicly said anything about the political optics of the engagement. But the timing has certainly garnered Scott more than a bit of side-eye.