DeMint was born in Greenville, S.C. in 1951, and went on to receive a bachelor of science degree in communications from the University of Tennessee. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Clemson University.

In 1983, after working 10 years in the research, advertising and marketing business, he started the DeMint Group, a Greenville-based marketing research and strategic planning business. In addition to his family, small business and local Presbyterian church, he immersed himself in Greenville civic life – volunteering and leading numerous charitable organizations.

During his time in Congress, DeMint worked with Water Missions International and is a proud supporter of the nonprofit Christian engineering organization, which provides sustainable safe water for people in developing countries.

He is the best-selling author numerous books, with the most recent release of “Falling in Love with America Again” (Center Street, 2014).