Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Firebrand Republican Rep. Nancy Mace<\/a> announced Monday that she will not run for the South Carolina Senate seat held by the late Lindsey Graham.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m not running for the U.S. Senate, not because I’m backing down from a fight, but because the one I’m already in matters right now,\u201d she said in a video announcement<\/a>. <\/p>\n Her decision comes after a fifth-place primary finish in her run for governor earlier this year and as the race to succeed Graham is already taking shape.<\/p>\n Mace began exploring the viability of a potential bid<\/a> just hours after Graham\u2019s death became public, two people familiar with her thinking told POLITICO at the time, but decided against a second statewide bid in as many months.<\/p>\n Her move effectively guarantees she will not be serving in elected office once her term ends early next year.<\/p>\n In the video, Mace said \u201cthe laws meant to protect me and other women failed us, and I won’t stop until that changes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cServing South Carolina has been the honor of my life, and I will continue to voice our values everywhere I can; I\u2019m even going to shit post from time to time, because someone has to call out the dumbasses,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Sen. Darline Graham<\/a>, Lindsey Graham\u2019s sister who was appointed to serve out the remainder of his term shortly after his death, announced Monday that she is running<\/a> for a full term, and she has already secured President Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement. <\/p>\n GOP Reps. Russell Fry<\/a> and Ralph Norman<\/a> have announced bids as well.<\/p>\n The filing window for the special primary election opens Tuesday and closes one week later. The election will be held Aug. 11, with a runoff for the top two candidates if no one wins 50 percent of the vote Aug. 25.<\/p>\n Whoever wins the special GOP primary will be the heavy favorite to secure a full term in November.<\/p>\n