History of Tim Scott in Timeline

Tim Scott is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the junior United States senator from South Carolina since 2013. As a Republican, he holds several distinctions: the first African-American senator in the Southern United States to be directly elected, the longest-serving Black senator in U.S. history, the first Black American to serve in both the House and Senate, and the first Black senator to chair a full committee. His career marks significant milestones in African-American 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 is an American businessman and politician who has been serving as the junior United States 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.

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

In 1984 Thomas Farr was the primary coordinator of the 'ballot security' program conducted by the NCGOP and 1984 Helms for Senate Committee, according to a 1991 memo.

1984: Introduced to Fellowship of Christian Athletes

In 1984, Tim Scott was introduced to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which led him to his Christian faith.

1988: Graduated from Charleston Southern University

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

1989: Voters Approved At-Large Seats

In 1989, the majority of voters had approved electing members by at-large seats in a popular referendum. This system was later challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice for diluting the voting strength of the African American minority.

1990: Farr was involved in voter suppression tactics during the 1990 Senate campaigns of Jesse Helms.

In 1990 Thomas Farr was involved in voter suppression tactics during the 1990 Senate campaigns of Jesse Helms.

1991: Department of Justice memo stated that Farr was the primary coordinator of the 1984 'ballot security' program.

In 1991, a memo from the Department of Justice under the George H. W. Bush administration stated that Thomas Farr was the primary coordinator of the 1984 'ballot security' program conducted by the NCGOP and 1984 Helms for Senate Committee.

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.

1995: Charleston County Council Member

From 1995, Tim Scott served on the Charleston County Council.

1996: Lost State Senate challenge

In 1996, Tim Scott challenged Democratic State Senator Robert Ford in South Carolina's 42nd Senate district but lost 65–35%.

1997: Supported Posting of Ten Commandments

In 1997, Tim Scott supported posting the Ten Commandments outside the council chambers and nailed a King James version of the Commandments to the wall, leading to a federal suit. The King James version of the Commandments had to be removed.

November 2000: DOJ attempted negotiation with Charleston County

In November 2000, prior to the lawsuit, the DOJ attempted to negotiate with Charleston County officials regarding racial discrimination under the Voting Rights Act.

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.

2003: JC Watts Retired

In 2003, J.C. Watts retired from Congress.

2004: Re-elected to Charleston County Council

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

2007: Chairman of Charleston County Council

In 2007, Tim Scott became chairman of the Charleston County Council.

2008: Elected to South Carolina House of Representatives

In 2008, Tim Scott was elected to represent District 117 in the South Carolina House of Representatives, becoming the first Republican African-American State Representative in South Carolina in more than 100 years.

2009: South Carolina General Assembly

In 2009, Tim Scott became a member of the South Carolina General Assembly.

2009: End of Term on Charleston County Council

In 2009, Tim Scott's term on the Charleston County Council came to an end.

2009: Earned B from South Carolina Club for Growth

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

2010: Roland Burris Retired

In 2010, Roland Burris retired after succeeding Barack Obama.

2010: Praised by the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers

In 2010, The South Carolina Association of Taxpayers praised Tim Scott's "diligent, principled and courageous stands against higher taxes."

March 2011: Co-sponsored Welfare Reform Bill

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

July 2011: Introduced legislation regarding the NLRB

In July 2011, Tim Scott introduced legislation preventing the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) 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. During the summer 2011 debate over raising the U.S. debt ceiling, Scott supported the inclusion of a balanced budget amendment in the debt ceiling bill, but after a day full of meetings and prayer he went from leaning No on the bill to voting No.

2011: Opposed Libya Intervention

In 2011, Tim Scott opposed the 2011 military intervention in Libya.

2011: US House of Representatives

In 2011, Tim Scott represented South Carolina's 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

December 17, 2012: Appointed to US Senate

On December 17, 2012, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley announced she would appoint Tim Scott to replace retiring Senator Jim DeMint. Scott became the first African American U.S. senator from South Carolina.

2012: Scott's campaigns received over $540,000 in 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 pledge of abstinence until marriage

In 2012, Tim Scott, when asked if he was still following his pledge of abstinence until marriage that he publicly declared in the late 1990s, replied, "Not as well as I did then."

January 2, 2013: Scott became 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 Only African American Senator

On February 1, 2013, Tim Scott's first term as the only African American senator ended.

July 16, 2013: Scott became Only African American Senator again

From July 16, 2013, until October 31, 2013, Tim Scott was the only African American senator.

October 31, 2013: End of Second Term as Only African American Senator

On October 31, 2013, Tim Scott's second term as the only African American senator ended.

2013: Appointed to the Senate

In 2013, Governor Nikki Haley appointed Tim Scott to the Senate after Jim DeMint resigned.

2013: Became US Senator

In 2013, Tim Scott became the junior United States senator from South Carolina. He is the first African-American senator in the Southern United States to be directly elected, the longest-serving Black senator in U.S. history, the first Black American to serve in both the House and Senate, and the first Black senator to chair a full committee.

January 2014: Signed Amicus Brief

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: Elected to the Senate

In 2014, Tim Scott won the special election for the Senate seat.

2014: Scott's campaigns received over $540,000 in 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: Re-elected to the Senate

In 2016, Tim Scott was elected to a full term in the Senate.

2016: Scott's campaigns received over $540,000 in 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: Cosponsor of bill to broaden federal government's ability to prevent foreign purchases of U.S. firms

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. tech companies, particularly in response to China's efforts. The bill sought to broaden the federal government's ability to review and potentially decline smaller investments and add national security factors.

2017: Sign letter to President Donald Trump urging him to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

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

2017: Reacted to the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville

In 2017, following the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Tim Scott acknowledged the reality of racism. He commented on President Trump's statements about "good people" on both sides, expressing that Trump's moral authority was compromised.

January 2018: Sign letter asking Trump to preserve the North American Free Trade Agreement

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

July 2018: Introduced Bipartisan Bill on Lynching

In July 2018, Tim Scott, Cory Booker, and Kamala Harris introduced a bipartisan bill to make lynching a federal hate crime.

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

In November 2018, Tim Scott opposed the nomination of Thomas A. Farr for a federal judgeship, citing Farr's involvement in voter suppression tactics during the 1984 and 1990 Senate campaigns of Jesse Helms.

January 2019: Cosponsored Health Insurance Tax Relief Act

In January 2019, Tim Scott was one of six senators to cosponsor the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act, delaying the Health Insurance Tax for two years.

February 2019: Voted Against Legislation

In February 2019, Tim Scott was one of 16 senators to vote against legislation preventing a partial government shutdown and containing $1.375 billion for barriers along the U.S.–Mexico border that included 55 miles of fencing.

August 2019: Announced Final Run for Reelection

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

April 2021: Delivered Republican Response

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

May 28, 2021: Voted Against Independent Commission

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

2022: Co-sponsored the PROTECT Kids Act

In 2022, Tim Scott and Senator Rick Scott (no relation) co-sponsored the PROTECT Kids Act, a bill that would cut federal funding to schools unless they informed parents of changes in children's "pronouns, gender markers, or sex-based accommodations (including locker rooms and bathrooms)."

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.

2022: Re-elected to the Senate

In 2022, Tim Scott was reelected to the Senate, defeating Democratic nominee Krystle Matthews.

February 2023: Preparing for Presidential Run

In February 2023, it was reported that Tim 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.

April 12, 2023: Formed Exploratory Committee

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

May 2023: Declared Candidacy for President

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

May 2023: Shared details about being in a relationship with an unnamed girlfriend

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

August 23, 2023: Commented on gender in sports

On August 23, 2023, in a debate between Republican presidential candidates, Tim Scott said: "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 he was dating Mindy Noce

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

November 2023: Comments on Gaza and Iran

In November 2023, Tim Scott rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and opposed sending humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. In a November 2023 Republican presidential primary debate, Scott suggested there could be no U.S.-Iranian diplomatic settlement.

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 said he would sign a 20-week federal abortion ban into law if elected president.

January 21, 2024: Scott announced their engagement

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

August 3, 2024: Scott 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

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

2024: Visited Iowa during Primary Season

In February 2023, Tim Scott hosted events and speeches throughout Iowa, the first state to vote in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, joining other Republican candidates hosting events there.