Tim Scott on track to becoming South Carolina’s first elected black senator

U.S. Senator Tim Scott. PHOTO/Sandra Ecklund/WCIV

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott easily won the Republican primary in South Carolina putting him on track to become that state’s first elected African American senator.

Early returns Tuesday showed the 48-year-old Scott with more than 90 percent of the vote over challenger Randall Young.

Scott, who was appointed by Govenor Nikki Haley after Jim DeMint resigned from the Senate, took office in 2013 and had yet to face a statewide election. He previously served one term in the U.S. House and gained instant attention as one of only two African American U.S. senators and the only African American Republican in that chamber.

The 69-year-old Young did no campaigning after filing as a candidate.

Scott moves on to face the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic primary, as well as American Party candidate Jill Bossi, in the November mid-term elections

The South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Matt Moore issued the following statement after Scott’s victory:

“Senator Tim Scott is an incredible public servant and I am proud of South Carolina Republicans for choosing him. His focus on educational choice and economic opportunity is resonating with South Carolinians of every background. Our party stands strong and united behind him in this November’s general election,” said Moore.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press