History of Tim Scott in Timeline

Tim Scott is an American politician and businessman currently serving as a U.S. Senator for South Carolina since 2013. As a Republican, he holds several distinctions, including being the first African-American senator from the South to be directly elected, the longest-serving African-American senator, the first African-American to serve in both the House and Senate, and the first African-American senator to chair a full committee. His career marks significant milestones in representation within the U.S. government.

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Full Timeline

September 19, 1965: Timothy Eugene Scott Born

On September 19, 1965, Timothy Eugene Scott was born. He would later become a businessman and politician, serving as a U.S. Senator from South Carolina since 2013.

Others born on this day/year

1983: Attended Presbyterian College

In 1983, Tim Scott attended Presbyterian College on a partial football scholarship. During this time, he was introduced to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which led him to embrace his Christian faith.

1984: Involvement in the 1984 'ballot security' program

In 1984, Thomas A. Farr was the primary coordinator of the 1984 'ballot security' program conducted by the NCGOP and 1984 Helms for Senate Committee.

1988: Graduated from Charleston Southern University

In 1988, Tim Scott graduated from Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.

1990: Involvement in the 1990 Senate campaigns of Jesse Helms

In 1990, Thomas A. Farr was involved in the 1990 Senate campaigns of Jesse Helms, which sought to suppress black voters.

1991: Involvement in memo from the Department of Justice

In 1991, a memo from the Department of Justice under the George H. W. Bush administration stated that Thomas A. Farr was the primary coordinator of the 1984 'ballot security' program.

February 1995: Elected to Charleston County Council

In February 1995, Tim Scott won a special election for the Charleston County Council at-large seat, becoming the first black Republican elected to any office in South Carolina since the late 19th century.

1996: Lost State Senate Race

In 1996, Tim Scott ran against Democratic State Senator Robert Ford in South Carolina's 42nd Senate district but lost, receiving 35% of the vote.

1997: Supported Posting the Ten Commandments

In 1997, Tim Scott supported posting the Ten Commandments outside the council chambers, leading to a federal lawsuit and subsequent settlement.

November 2000: DOJ Attempted Negotiation

In November 2000, prior to filing a lawsuit, the U.S. Department of Justice attempted to negotiate with Charleston County officials regarding concerns that at-large council seats diluted the voting strength of the African American minority.

2000: Re-elected to Charleston County Council

In 2000, Tim Scott was reelected to the Charleston County Council.

January 2001: DOJ Sued Charleston County

In January 2001, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Charleston County, South Carolina, for racial discrimination under the Voting Rights Act, alleging that at-large elections diluted the voting strength of the African American minority.

2004: Re-elected to Charleston County Council

In 2004, Tim Scott was re-elected to the Charleston County Council, defeating Democrat Elliot Summey with 61% of the vote.

2007: Became Chairman of Charleston County Council

In 2007, Tim Scott became the chairman of the Charleston County Council, having served on the council since 1995.

2008: Elected to South Carolina House of Representatives

In 2008, Tim Scott won the election for District 117 of the South Carolina House of Representatives, becoming the first Republican African-American State Representative in South Carolina in over 100 years.

2009: South Carolina Club for Growth Scorecard

In the South Carolina Club for Growth's 2009-2010 scorecard, Tim Scott earned a B and a score of 80 out of 100.

2010: South Carolina Club for Growth Scorecard

In the South Carolina Club for Growth's 2009-2010 scorecard, Tim Scott earned a B and a score of 80 out of 100.

March 2011: Co-sponsored Welfare Reform Bill

In March 2011, Tim Scott co-sponsored a welfare reform bill that sparked controversy, with claims that it would terminate food stamps to families when a family member participates in a labor strike.

July 2011: Introduced Legislation Regarding NLRB Authority

In July 2011, Tim Scott introduced legislation to limit the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) authority, preventing it from ordering employers to relocate, shut down, or transfer employment.

2011: Advocated for Charleston Harbor Dredging Project

In 2011, Tim Scott advocated for federal funds for a Charleston harbor dredging project estimated at $300 million, arguing it was merit-based and in the national interest.

December 17, 2012: Appointed to U.S. Senate

On December 17, 2012, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley appointed Tim Scott to the U.S. Senate, filling the seat vacated by Jim DeMint. He became the first African American U.S. Senator from South Carolina.

2012: Received political donations from oil, gas and coal interests

In 2012, Tim Scott's campaign received over $540,000 in political donations from oil, gas and coal interests.

2012: Commented on his virginity pledge

In 2012, when asked if he was still following his pledge of abstinence until marriage, Tim Scott replied, "Not as well as I did then."

January 2, 2013: Became the Only African American Senator

From January 2, 2013, until February 1, 2013, Tim Scott was the only African American senator.

February 1, 2013: End of first term as the only African American Senator

Tim Scott's first term as the only African American Senator came to an end on February 1, 2013.

July 16, 2013: Second Term as the Only African American Senator

Tim Scott served as the only African American senator again from July 16, 2013, until October 31, 2013.

October 31, 2013: End of second term as the only African American Senator

Tim Scott's second term as the only African American Senator came to an end on October 31, 2013.

2013: Appointed to the Senate

In 2013, Nikki Haley, then Governor, appointed Tim Scott to the Senate following Jim DeMint's resignation. He had previously served in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013.

January 2014: Signed amicus brief against Affordable Care Act

In January 2014, Tim Scott signed an amicus brief in support of Senator Ron Johnson's legal challenge to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Affordable Care Act ruling.

2014: Received political donations from oil, gas and coal interests

In 2014, Tim Scott's campaign received over $540,000 in political donations from oil, gas and coal interests.

2016: Received political donations from oil, gas and coal interests

In 2016, Tim Scott's campaign received over $540,000 in political donations from oil, gas and coal interests.

November 2017: Cosponsored bill to broaden federal government's ability to prevent foreign purchases

In November 2017, Tim Scott cosponsored a bill aimed at strengthening the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to prevent foreign purchases of U.S. firms, particularly in the tech sector, by broadening the federal government's ability to review and decline smaller investments, adding national security factors.

2017: Reacted to Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville

In 2017, Tim Scott reacted to the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville by acknowledging the reality of racism. He also commented on President Trump's statement about "good people" on both sides, expressing that Trump's comments "started erasing the comments that were strong."

2017: Signed letter urging withdrawal from Paris Agreement

In 2017, Tim Scott was one of 22 senators who signed a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

January 2018: Signed letter asking Trump to preserve NAFTA

In January 2018, Tim Scott was one of 36 Republican senators who signed a letter urging President Trump to preserve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in a modernized form.

July 2018: Introduced Bipartisan Bill to Make Lynching a Federal Hate Crime

In July 2018, Tim Scott, along with senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at making lynching a federal hate crime.

November 2018: Opposed nomination of Thomas A. Farr for federal judgeship

In November 2018, Tim Scott opposed the nomination of Thomas A. Farr for a federal judgeship, citing Farr's involvement in suppressing African-American voters in past campaigns and stating that the Republican Party was "not doing a very good job of avoiding the obvious potholes on race in America."

January 2019: Cosponsored Health Insurance Tax Relief Act

In January 2019, Tim Scott was one of six senators who cosponsored the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act, which aimed to delay the Health Insurance Tax for two years.

February 2019: Voted Against Legislation Preventing Government Shutdown

In February 2019, Tim Scott was one of 16 senators who voted against legislation intended to prevent a partial government shutdown, which included $1.375 billion for barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

August 2019: Announced Plans for Final Senate Term

In August 2019, Tim Scott announced his intention to run for reelection, but stated that it would be his last term if he were to win.

April 2021: Delivered Republican Response to Biden's Address

In April 2021, Tim Scott delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden's Joint Address to Congress.

May 28, 2021: Voted Against Capitol Attack Commission

On May 28, 2021, Tim Scott voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack.

2022: Voted Against Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Tim Scott voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which provided federal statutory recognition of same-sex marriage.

February 2023: Preparing for a presidential run

In February 2023, it was reported that Scott was preparing for a presidential run. He announced a "listening tour" that would include a Black History Month event in Charleston, South Carolina, as the tour's first stop and then hosted events and speeches throughout Iowa, the first state to vote in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.

April 12, 2023: Formed Exploratory Committee for Presidential Run

On April 12, 2023, Tim Scott formed an exploratory committee to potentially run for president.

May 2023: Presidential Candidacy Declared

In May 2023, Tim Scott announced his candidacy for the 2024 Republican Party presidential nomination.

May 2023: Shared details about relationship with unnamed girlfriend

In May 2023, Tim Scott shared details about being in a relationship with an unnamed girlfriend.

August 23, 2023: Expressed Views on Gender in Sports

On August 23, 2023, during a debate between Republican presidential candidates, Tim Scott stated: "If God made you a man, you play sports—against men."

November 12, 2023: Suspended Presidential Campaign

On November 12, 2023, Tim Scott announced the suspension of his campaign on Fox News's Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy.

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November 2023: Publicly announced dating Mindy Noce

In November 2023, Tim Scott publicly announced he was dating Mindy Noce, an interior designer from Charleston.

November 2023: Advocated for Cutting Off 'Head of the Snake' (Iran)

In a November 2023 Republican presidential primary debate, Tim Scott suggested there could be no U.S.-Iranian diplomatic settlement and stated the U.S. should "cut off the head of the snake, and the head of the snake is Iran and not simply their proxies."

2023: Voted against Fiscal Responsibility Act

In 2023, Tim Scott was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

2023: Expressed Pro-Life Stance

In a 2023 interview, Tim Scott stated that he would sign a 20-week federal abortion ban into law if elected president, reinforcing his pro-life stance.

January 21, 2024: Announced engagement to Mindy Noce

On January 21, 2024, Tim Scott announced his engagement to Mindy Noce.

August 3, 2024: Married Mindy Noce

On August 3, 2024, Tim Scott married Mindy Noce in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

2024: Elected chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

Following the 2024 elections, Tim Scott was elected chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He also holds the position of chair on the Senate Committee on Banking.

2024: Preparing for a presidential run

2026: Endorsed Lindsey Graham in United States Senate race

In 2026, Tim Scott endorsed Lindsey Graham in the United States Senate race and is serving in a leadership capacity on Graham's campaign team.

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