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COLUMBIA (WACH) --- Timothy Eugene Scott known as Tim Scott making history on December 17, 2012  by becoming the first African American Senator in South Carolina.

Scott being appointed to the seat by Governor Nikki Haley after former Senator Jim Demint stepped down for another career at The Heritage Foundation. 

“The future is incredibly bright for America. We have our challenges, we have things we have to overcome but boy does the future look great in South Carolina,” says Senator Tim Scott.

Before becoming a senator, Scott served in the United States House of Representatives from 2011-2013, where he was a member of house leadership and the house rules committee. Scott also served on Charleston County Council for 13 years. Prior to that he served one term in the South Carolina General Assembly. He says he always wanted to give back to the community by becoming a politician.

“My desire for public service really started with my mentor who taught me the value of basic business principles. That changed and transformed my financial life and helped me to achieve some of the goals that I had for my mom and family,” says Senator Scott.

Scott was born in Charleston. By the time he was seven his parents divorced. He was raised by his mother where she fought to make ends met. Senator Scott says he found himself going down the wrong path like almost dropping out of high school. But he meet someone who helped to put him on the right direction and started to teach him about business.

“A guy named John Moniz a Chick-Fil-A operator. One of the things he taught me, it's better to give than receive,” says Senator Scott.

Scott says his historic appointment is just one example of how the Palmetto State is becoming more diverse.

“I think the one word is evolution. It is amazing how far our state has come. The reality of it is if you’re looking for a state that has the greatest progress look no further than South Carolina,” says Senator Scott.

He says as the nation celebrates Black History it's important to remember it's more than just about skin color.

“We will continue to embody Martin Luther King Junior’s dream, which is the content of our character is how voters and decision makers are making their decisions,” says Senator Scott.  

“He earned this seat for the person that he is. He earned this seat for the results he has shown,” says Governor Nikki Haley.

As for representing the Palmetto State...

“I look forward to pressing the flesh on economic development issues. Having an opportunity to work on making sure that our economy in this state continues to hum like an engine,” says Senator Scott.