South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley named a fellow Republican, Rep. Tim Scott, as the state’s next senator on Monday. He replaces retiring Republican Sen. Jim DeMint and will make history as the first black senator from the South since 1881.
Haley, however, wanted everyone to know her selection was based on Scott’s merit, not his race.
“He earned this seat for the results he has shown,” Haley said at a news conference announcing her choice. “He earned this seat for what I know he’s going to do in making South Carolina and making our country proud.”
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