One of two black Republicans elected Nov. 2 announced Wednesday that he will not join the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep.-elect Tim Scott said he appreciated the invitation to become a CBC member but “will not be joining at this time.”

“My campaign was never about race,” the South Carolina lawmaker said in a statement. “My campaign has been about themes that unite all Americans — restoring the American dream by reducing the tax burden, decreasing government interference in the private sector, and restoring fiscal responsibility, and I don’t think those ideals are advanced by focusing on one group of people.”

Scott had previously said he was leaning against joining the group, which had only Democratic members in the 111th Congress. Florida Rep.-elect Allen West, the other incoming black Republican, has opted to join the group.

Scott said he would rather focus on promoting “conservative values” and growing the economy, “which will make everything else possible.”

“The black community, like all communities, will benefit when businesses can use their profits to hire more workers instead of paying higher taxes; when companies decide to locate in America instead of overseas; and when our government no longer saddles our children’s futures with ever-increasing debt,” Scott said. “I therefore plan to dedicate my time and energy in Congress to working on these areas.”