Party | Republican

Born | Sept. 6, 1951, in Greenville

Education | Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee; and master's degree from Clemson University

Employment | President of the DeMint Group, a marketing research company

Experience | Elected to the U.S. House in 1998; re-elected in 2000 and 2002

Family | Wife, Debbie DeMint; four children

On the Net | http://www.jimdemint.com/

A tobacco buyout is critical for our state's tobacco farmers and quota holders. In Congress, I am co-sponsoring two bills which provide payments to tobacco quota holders and farmers funded through an assessment on tobacco manufacturers not the taxpayer. In the Senate, I will work to pass a tobacco buyout that is fair to both farmers and taxpayers.

The federal government has long participated in beach renourishment projects, which are important for our state's beaches and tourism economy, at a 65/35 federal/local cost share. While there are proposals to cease federal funding such projects altogether, I believe that promises made should be promises kept. I support the government's continued participation in beach renourishment.

As a member of the transportation committee, I have worked hard to ensure funding for I-73. I believe we can make I-73 a reality by increasing South Carolina's share of federal formula highway dollars, leveraging existing resources such as S.C. DOTs innovative financing techniques for transportation projects, and taking advantage of new opportunities such as working to place I-73 in the new Projects of Regional/National Significance category in the transportation re-authorization bill.