Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott announced Thursday he will seek the District 117 state House seat in a bid that could make him the first black Republican to serve in Columbia since Reconstruction.

Scott, 42, said he's aware of the history-making potential in his campaign, but he also said his race isn't the most important thing.

"My hope is that we are at a place now where we ought to pay attention to the issues, the conservative value system that I represent," he said. "It's impossible to eliminate race in politics, but in my campaign structure and process, I won't be taking it into consideration. Yes, it would be exciting to break into a level of politics, but I'd be excited about that whether I'm black or not."

Scott's decision comes a day after District 117 Rep. Thomas Dantzler, R-Goose Creek, said he won't seek another term.

Scott's news release also contained kind words from Gov. Mark Sanford, who last year urged state lawmakers to consider Scott for the state treasurer's job vacated after Thomas Ravenel's indictment. They picked former state Rep. Converse Chellis instead.

"Tim would bring the principled, conservative values he's always stood up for with him to Columbia," Sanford's statement said.

Scott said he would bring his "taxpayers first" approach that he has used during his 13 years on council and would try to return more of the state government's $1.5 billion to families and businesses.

Asked what Scott's win would mean to the state Republican Party, Chairman Katon Dawson said it would be a sign that the party continues to grow. "We certainly welcome all-comers in these primaries," he said, adding that he considered Scott a personal friend.

Scott isn't the first black Republican to seek a legislative seat. Former Beaufort County Councilwoman Starletta Hairston did so four years ago, Dawson said.

Scott is expected to face Berkeley County Councilman Bill Crosby in the June 10 Republican primary.

Todd Shaw, an assistant professor of political science at the University of South Carolina, said blacks have been involved in supporting the Republican Party but few have won office as Republicans. Shaw said Scott's bid might mark a beginning, "but we'll have to wait and see if that's the case."

"I think it may be an indication, a small indication of whether or not the political parties are attempting to be competitive again with regards to the black vote," Shaw added.

Scott said he thinks Republicans are starving for a diverse group with common values to come together. "It doesn't have to mean race or ethnicity. It means we need a broader base for our party."