CHARLESTON (AP) -- A political scientist says Nikki Haley's showing in the Republican gubernatorial primary and black lawmaker Tim Scott leading a congressional race reflect changes in South Carolina and the GOP in recent years.
Scott Huffmon of Winthrop University says that 40 years ago, Haley would not have entered a runoff as a favorite because she is a woman and the daughter of Indian immigrants.
Huffmon says that voters aren't as worried now about skin color or background as about political ideology.
State GOP executive director Joel Sawyer says the party is fielding more women and minority candidates. This year 11 women and minorities filed for GOP primaries for statewide and federal offices. Only seven filed in all other primaries since 2000.
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