Washington (CNN) -- South Carolina's Tim Scott on Tuesday became the first African-American senator to win election in the South since Reconstruction.
Scott, the Palmetto State Republican, was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley to the office after former Sen. Jim DeMint resigned in November 2012. In this year's midterms, he outlasted Democratic challenger Joyce Dickerson.
The election was only to fill the last two years of DeMint's term. Scott will have to run again in 2016 in order to earn a full six-year term.
Scott's win also made him the first African-American in U.S. history to be elected to both the House and the Senate.
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Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus tweeted congratulations to Scott on Tuesday night, noting his "historic win."
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Scott discussed that history in a series of election-night tweets.
My skin color is talked about often. Tonight I want to talk about it for just a moment.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) November 5, 2014In South Carolina, in America, it takes a generation to go from having a grandfather who is picking cotton, to a grandson in Congress.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) November 5, 2014We are thankful for those trailblazers who came before us and said the status quo was not enough. I stand on the shoulders of giants.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) November 5, 2014Our values and our issues are central. The most important things we have to offer are on the inside. This is the testament to progress made
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) November 5, 2014I want to speak to the future leaders of America. Don't let anyone define you but you. You have a responsibility to be yourself. Be proud.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) November 5, 2014We have too many young people being trapped in poverty because other people are defining them with low expectations.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) November 5, 2014God bless you.
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) November 5, 2014South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham was also re-elected Tuesday.
It was a year of firsts for African-American Republicans. Mia Love of Utah became the first African-American Republican woman to win a seat in Congress.
