South Carolina’s first black senator, Tim Scott, refused to make his appointment to the post a racial issue, although his political affiliation has already caused at least one media figure to suggest he’s not an authentic black man.

“Eighteen years ago the citizens of Charleston County, countywide, gave me the opportunities to represent them based on values and issues,” Sen.-designate Tim Scott, R-S.C., replied when asked what it means to him personally that Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., appointed him to replace outgoing Senator Jim DeMint. “A couple years later the folks from the state house seat 117 gave me an opportunity to represent their issues and their values. A few years ago, the first district gave me an opportunity to represent their issues and their values.”