Sen. Tim Scott Talks Opportunity in Lexington

When Tim Scott talks to people they are often smiling. Smiling in a way that is unusual when politicians are talking. That was the case again on Thursday when Scott stopped by Lexington Town Hall to visit with city and business leaders.

As a frigid January rain pounded the windows, Scott listened as Mayor Randy Halfacre talked about Lexington’s accomplishments and its challenges while sharing his own thoughts on the future of both South Carolina and America.

Since Gov. Nikki Haley took the historic step of making Scott South Carolina’s newest Senator in December, the North Charleston native has been on a tour of the state.

It’s been referred to as a listening tour, but as Scott has traveled the state he’s been spreading his message of unleashing economic opportunity.

“Every part of the state has something unique about it and in its workforce,” Scott told Patch. “But I’m starting to see opportunities in the overlaps that exist in the different regions. One of those overlaps is the Port of Charleston. Every part of the state benefits from the Port, particularly companies like BMW and Michelin that serve the transportation sector.”

Since he was elected to Congress in 2010, Scott stood out, in part, due to his unwavering optimism, which was rare in the nation’s capital, where cynicism is standard operating procedure.

“In DC, sometimes we lose faith in the opportunities of the future and end up fighting about the resources of the present without much prioritization,” Scott said. “My approach is that I believe we can find solutions, some of which may be hard to digest right now. But the answers we find today build our economy for tomorrow.”

Despite contentious fights over the fiscal cliff and other economic issues, Scott feels that Congress and President Obama have areas of common ground, such as creating a simpler tax code.

Scott said that he believes success in Washington will come from building relationships. He noted that he’s already talked with Tim Kaine, the Democratic Senator from Virginia, about legislation that he thinks can free up enterprise.

“There are plenty of people in the Senate who have the best interests of the country at heart and making things better for everyone. We may disagree on how to do that. But when you find people who are passionate about what they’re doing, you’re going to find common ground,” Scott explained. “I can work with them without relinquishing my values or principals.”

Scott said one of areas he sees an opportunity is in education and providing choice for parents, but for right now he’s focusing on reforming the tax code and lowering the corporate tax rate.

The last month has been a whirlwind for Scott. Much was made about the symbolic nature of his appointment, but for Scott his new job allows him to demonstrate his gratitude to his mother on a regular basis, who raised him by herself.

“I think I’m living my Mom’s dream,” Scott said. “The best way for me to honor her is to try to serve others the way she served me. That’s the best remuneration I can think of.”

Scott’s predecessor Jim DeMint was thought to be the most popular politician in the Palmetto State. Few would contest that that honor now belongs to Tim Scott.

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