Tim Scott (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. Senate from South Carolina. He assumed office on January 2, 2013. His current term ends on January 3, 2029.
Scott (Republican Party) is running for election for President of the United States. He declared candidacy for the 2024 election.
Scott announced his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential primary on May 22, 2023. He formed an exploratory committee on April 12, 2023. Click here to read more about his presidential campaign.
Scott assumed office in January 2013 after he was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley (R) to serve the remainder of Senator Jim DeMint's (R) term, making him the first black senator from the South since Reconstruction. Scott was elected to the U.S. Senate in a special election held November 4, 2014. At the time of his appointment, Scott was the only Black person to serve in both the Senate and House of Representatives
Scott previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing South Carolina's 1st Congressional District from 2011 to 2013.
See Scott's presidential campaign overview and Presidential candidates, 2024, for more information about the 2024 presidential election.
Scott was born in North Charleston, South Carolina on September 19, 1965, and raised by his single mother who was a nursing assistant. In high school Scott’s mentor was a Chick-fil-A franchise owner, John Moniz. Scott said that his mother’s hard work ethic and Moniz’s mentorship were responsible for his success. After graduating from R.B. Stall High School, Scott attended Presbyterian College on a football scholarship for one year. He then transferred to Charleston Southern University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1988. Scott worked in real estate and insurance sales, becoming the owner of his own Allstate Insurance agency, which was named South Carolina Agency Owner of the Year.
In 1995, Scott was elected to the Charleston County City Council, where he served until 2008. In 2008, Scott ran for and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. He defeated Paul Thurmond, son of Strom Thurmond, in the Republican primary. He served in the House until 2013 when he was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley (R) to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jim DeMint (R). Scott was elected to the seat in a special election on November 4, 2014, and was re-elected in 2016.
