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Tim Scott is the first African-American from South Carolina elected to the House of Representatives since 1901. Soon he will be the only African-American in the U.S. Senate. He will replace Republican Senator Jim DeMint.

Scott was raised by a single mother in Charleston, South Carolina. He admits to being a troubled student.  His life changed when he was mentored by the owner of a fast food restaurant in South Carolina. After graduating with a Political Science degree from Charleston University, he sold insurance and became the co-owner of a real estate agency. His work paid off and he now has an estimated net worth of $3.4 million.

In 1995, Scott ran for the Charleston County Council and won. He would keep that position for 13 years. One year later, he worked as co-chair for Republican Senator Strom Thurmond. He defended his position with Thurmond, stating that he had “evolved” his race issues.

Scott was the center of controversy a year later when he hung a framed copy of the Ten Commandments outside his Council office. Residents teamed with the American Civil Liberties Union and sued Scott to force removal of the Commandments list. Despite the controversy, Scott was elected to the South Carolina Legislature in 2003.

Scott’s most recent appointment to the House of Representatives was by Governor Nikki Haley. He has already turned down an invitation to the Congressional Black Caucus. As for his stances in politics, Scott has co-sponsored legislation to expand gun rights, including bills to make concealed-carry permits valid. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, Scott hopes to make an “impact on the lives of 1 billion people before he dies.”