Tim Scott was sworn in as a U.S. Senator at about 12:20 p.m. today, marking a dramatic political rise for South Carolina’s most prominent black Republican.

Scott was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the next two years of former Sen. Jim DeMint’s term.

A North Charleston businessman, Scott was elected to Congress in 2010, two years after having become the first black Republican to serve in the S.C. House.

Before then, he had served 13 years on Charleston County Council.

Scott is expected to run for the final two years of DeMint’s term in the 2014 general election.

His ascension to the Senate also has created a special election for his old 1st Congressional District seat. Filing for that race will begin Jan. 18.

Sean Smith, a spokesman for Scott, told the Georgetown Times that the new Senator was named to five committees — the Senate Commerce Science and Transportation, Energy and Natural Resources, Health Education Labor and Pensions, Small Business, and Aging Committees.

His temporary office in Washington is 113 Hart Senate Office Building.

By Robert Behre

Post and Courier