With less than six months to go until the Iowa GOP presidential caucuses, Sen. Tim Scott appears to have some momentum.

And it’s propelling him to Orange County.

Scott, a U.S. senator from South Carolina, is set to lead a reception and town hall at the Newport Beach Country Club on Monday evening, July 31, after events in Iowa.

The ticketed event comes as Scott has garnered more attention — and headlines proclaiming he “may be the one to watch in the GOP presidential race.”

In Orange County, Scott “will continue to share his message of optimism that is anchored in conservative values,” said Nathan Brand, his communications director. “The more people get to know Tim Scott, the more they are attracted to his vision to restore hope and defend the American Dream. Tim has the message, resources and the fight to compete anywhere.”

While he’s still polling far behind former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a June Public Policy Institute survey of likely GOP California voters found Scott sitting in fourth at 5%, behind former Trump, DeSantis and Mike Pence — albeit, only 1% separated the senator and former vice president in that poll.

That’s certainly a rise from May when PPIC found Scott behind Trump, DeSantis, Pence, former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. Then, he was at 2%.

Nationally, though, Scott is still behind Trump, DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Pence and Haley at just 3%, according to the Real Clear Politics average.

With a “nice guy” reputation and higher favorability ratings, Scott, 57, has largely stayed optimistic on the campaign trail thus far. He often invokes his Christian faith and his upbringing in the South.

He’s the only Black Republican in the Senate, where he’s served since 2013. He grew up in North Charleston and served in the House for one term before Haley, then South Carolina’s governor, appointed him to fill a vacancy in the Senate.

And even if he’s not the nominee, Scott plays an important role in the future of the Republican Party, said Parmis Khatibi, president of the California Women’s Leadership Association, the organization hosting Monday’s event alongside the Republican Party of Orange County.

Even Trump recently praised Scott, saying he could see him “doing something with the administration” if he’s elected to another term.

“We’re really looking at giving (Scott) the exposure he needs so people are more familiar with him,” said Khatibi. “I want people to meet him because resoundingly, people in political circles say, ‘He’s such a good person.’ You don’t hear that when people talk about politicians.”

Monday isn’t Scott’s first fundraising trip to Southern California, and he’s certainly not the only GOP presidential contender to pay attention early to an area ripe with fundraising potential.

Orange County is “an ATM, and that’s why we see a lot of the candidates out here early,” said Louis DeSipio, a UC Irvine political science professor. “There are Republican donors with money who are willing to exercise their constitutional rights by funding candidates.”

Both Scott and Haley came out to Orange County for fundraisers in June. DeSantis headlined a Republican Party of Orange County event in March after visiting the Reagan Library. And Ramaswamy is set to appear at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda in August.

California will hold its presidential primary on March 5, considered to be Super Tuesday, the day when many states hold their elections. The state has 169 delegates for the Republican primary election this year.

“Because California is likely both delegate-rich and early on the calendar, it is smart for potential candidates to invest time in our state to make sure they are getting to know our voters and presenting their vision,” California GOP Chair Jessica Millan Patterson has said.

Orange County voters who want to see Scott’s in Newport Beach Monday will have to shell out some cash.

Tickets for the reception and town hall start at $250 for general admission and $500 for “VIP” admission which includes a photo opportunity.