COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — To U.S. Rep. Tim Scott, keeping his modest upbringing in the front of his mind has helped guide his swift ascent in South Carolina’s business and political circles and will continue to serve him in the U.S. Senate.

While race is certainly part of the man he has become, Scott hesitates to say it has anything to do with his status as a rising GOP star in a strongly conservative Southern state.