COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's first Black Republican congressman in over a century won't join the Congressional Black Caucus.

Tim Scott told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the caucus' ideals don't match his goals or vision for America.

"The more I thought about it, the more I realized is who I have always been a guy who has lived in an integrated world," Scott said.

Scott, 45, downplayed his race throughout his campaign as he beat eight other Republicans, including the sons of the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond and the late Gov. Carroll Campbell. He then easily won his conservative coastal South Carolina district to become the state's first black congressman since Reconstruction.

Next month, Scott and Florida's Allen West will become the first black Republicans to serve in the U.S. House since J.C. Watts of Oklahoma retired in 2003.

Watts did not join the Congressional Black Caucus either. But West has said he will likely accept the caucus' invitation, saying he wants to steer the group away from what he called failing liberal policies.

Scott said he considered the invitation, but decided after traveling to Washington last month that the time he would spend with the caucus could be better spent on other work.

"In the end, I think I'm going to be very busy," Scott said. "I'll be working on issues I think will move America forward and there wasn't any margin left."