ABC News’ Cullen Dirner reports:

Rep.-elect Tim Scott, R-S.C., released a statement today saying he would not be joining the Congressional Black Caucus.

"While I recognize the efforts of the CBC and appreciate their invitation for me to caucus with them, I will not be joining at this time,” Scott said. “My campaign was never about race."

Scott, a Tea Party candidate, won South Carolina’s first Congressional District in November. Following his victory speech, he told reporters that race was not an issue, saying “the future is more important than the past.”

The Congressman-elect kept with that sentiment today in a written statement.

“The black community, like all communities, will benefit when businesses can use their profits to hire more workers instead of paying higher taxes,” he said. “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.”

Tim and Rep.-elect Allen West, R-Fl., are the only two African Americans who were elected to Congress in November. However, West’s staff told ABC News this evening that “he is planning on joining” the Caucus this coming January.

So far the Congressional Black Caucus and has not returned messages from ABC News.