Republicans Nikki Haley and Tim Scott easily won their runoffs in South Carolina this evening. Haley is running for governor, where she will be the favorite in the fall. Scott is running in the 1st Congressional District, which is very likely to make him the first black Republican elected to Congress since JC Watts.

Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, endured racist attacks plus unsubstantiated rumors of extramarital affairs. Scott had to beat Paul Thurmond, the son of Strom Thurmond, though the race was a gentlemanly affair. Both are strong conservatives. Haley had been supportive Mark Sanford, who for all his faults was a real conservative, and enjoyed the backing of Jenny Sanford in this race.