Republicans tweet acclaim for newly appointed Sen. Scott

Congratulations to my friend @reptimscott who, news outlets are reporting, will be appointed to the Senate by Gov. @nikkihaley later today!

— Kenny Marchant (@RepKenMarchant) December 17, 2012

Haley named her choice to replace DeMint at a press conference around noon. DeMint announced earlier this month he is stepping down from the Senate in January to head the conservative Heritage Foundation. Scott’s name quickly jumped to the top of the list of prospective replacement candidates, and Republican sources indicated DeMint was pushing for the freshman congressman to fill the seat. Like DeMint, Scott is popular with the Tea Party. 

Scott will be the first black senator from the South since the late 19th century. He was a popular choice among Republicans, both in the House and Senate. Many others congratulated him before Haley made the news official, and others were quick to hail the news as good.

Congrats! @chadpergram: Rep Tim Scott (R-SC) becomes 1st African American senator since Sen Burris (D-IL) who succeeded President Obama.

— Rep. Cory Gardner(@repcorygardner) December 17, 2012

Congrats to House frosh #GOP leader & former #smallbiz owner @votetimscott on his appointment to the U.S. Senate

— John Boehner (@johnboehner) December 17, 2012

Congratulations to Senator Tim Scott! You will be missed in the House.

— Eric Cantor (@EricCantor) December 17, 2012

Congrats to my friend @reptimscott -I guess it will be @senatortimscott now.

— Blake Farenthold (@farenthold) December 17, 2012

With @reptimscott appointment to Senate since he was just appointed to @waysandmeansgop 2 weeks ago that means he served a -17 days on W&M!

— Billy Long (@auctnr1) December 17, 2012

I would like to welcome @reptimscott to the Senate.I look forward to working with another great conservative from South Carolina. #tcot

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 17, 2012

Glad to see Tim Scott coming to the Senate. He was immediately recognized as a leader in the House & he’ll be a leader in the Senate.

— Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) December 17, 2012

Tim Scott is an even better person than he is politician.

— Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) December 17, 2012

This post was originally created at 10:33 a.m. and has been updated.