Rep. Scott Will Host, Not Endorse, Romney Saturday

Despite scheduling a last-minute town hall and the recent endorsement of Gov. Nikki Haley, who swept into office at the same time he did, Rep. Tim Scott is not expected Saturday to endorse former Massachusetts Gov. Romney.

Scott made a hasty announcement Friday morning that he would host Romney in his seventh installment of the First in the South presidential town hall series. Submit a question for Romney here.

The town hall is 9 a.m. Saturday at Memminger Auditorium in downtown Charleston. 

The announcement came last minute compared to the other town halls, which have been announced weeks ahead of schedule — fueling some speculation that Scott would follow in the footsteps of Haley, who will be at both of .

But a spokeswoman said it was a scheduling issue. 

"It's a last-minute thing because his votes in Washington come first," Communications Director Sharon Axon told Patch. "His schedule freed up." 

Congressional Staffer Nicolas Muzin also told Patch via email that Scott has "no plans to endorse tomorrow."

Romney is currently getting 2 percent of the votes on Scott's website, which . Scott asked voters whom he should endorse, and also stated his endorsement may not come.

The question of whether or not Scott will endorse fueled by Muzin telling Patch Scott "may endorse in the next few weeks" when asked if Scott was endorsing a presidential nominee. 

Texas Rep. Ron Paul outpolls all other candidates on Scott's website with 47 percent of the votes. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich is polling at 41 percent, and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is polling at 5 percent. Romney is tied with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Gov. Rick Perry. 

The Congressman released this statement about Saturday's town hall:

"I am honored to host Governor Romney in South Carolina. In a year when creating jobs and getting our economy back on track is the foremost issue on voters' minds, Mitt brings an impressive record of private sector experience to the race for President." 

The first six First in the South town halls:

The only candidate Scott has yet to host is Paul.