As the field for the race to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham takes shape, one prominent lawmaker is declining to dive into the arena hours after the contest was shaken up.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., opted against a bid after she strongly suggested that she'd throw her hat into the arena on Monday in a video statement. Last August, Mace launched a campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, but she finished a disappointing fifth out of five major candidates in last month's Republican primary.
"I want to be straight with you, I'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," Mace said.

"I'm not chasing another **** le, I'm chasing justice, justice for me, justice for other women and justice for every little girl who was told to stay silent," she continued. "That's where my focus is today, and that's where it's going to stay."
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Her decision followed a move by Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., to take up her brother's mantle after she was appointed to finish off the remainder of her late brother's term. She made her decision to officially enter the upcoming special election after a push from President Donald Trump.