Tim Scott Poised to Become 1st Black GOP Congressman Since 2003

Black Republican Tim Scott has won the South Carolina GOP primary after defeating Paul Thurmond, the son of the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, in a primary run-off. Scott's congressional district is heavily Republican and he is expected to win easily this fall. Tim Scott had the endorsement of Sarah Palin.

AP reported:

Tim Scott beat Paul Thurmond, the son of the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, in a GOP runoff Tuesday in the state’s coastal 1st District.

Scott is now a heavy favorite in a district that has elected a Republican congressman for three decades. He is poised to become the nation’s first black GOP congressman since 2003 when Oklahoma’s J.C. Watts retired.

The 44-year-old Scott was the first black Republican in the South Carolina legislature in more than a century when elected in 2008. Before that, he served 13 years on Charleston County Council.