Haley selects Tim Scott to replace DeMint

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO/AP) — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has announced that Rep. Tim Scott will serve as the replacement for U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint. Gov. Haley made the announcement at the State House during a press conference at noon. State law gives the Republican governor the authority to pick DeMint’s successor. DeMint announced less than two weeks ago that he would resign Jan. 1 to take the helm of a national conservative think tank. Sen. Scott will fill the seat until 2014, when voters will choose who will fill the remaining two years of DeMint’s term. Haley’s five finalists were reportedly former first lady Jenny Sanford, U.S. Reps. Tim Scott and Trey Gowdy, former Attorney General Henry McMaster and state health agency director Catherine Templeton.