COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s first black Republican congressman in over a century says he won’t join the Congressional Black Caucus.

Tim Scott told The Associated Press on Wednesday he decided against joining the 42-member group that is currently all Democratic.

Throughout his campaign, Scott has downplayed his race, saying he has always lived in a world that was integrated.

The other black Republican elected to the U.S. House in November has said he will join the caucus. Allen West of Florida wants to steer the group away from what he called failing liberal policies.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.