After laying the groundwork to mount a congressional bid, Sandra Fluke has decided to pass on running for Henry Waxman’s now-open seat. Earlier on Tuesday, Fluke had filed paperwork to receive the California Democratic party’s endorsement, but said she had not officially made a decision to run.
The abortion-rights activist, who rose to national prominence as a Georgetown Law student in 2012, has instead decided to pursue the California state-senate seat left open by someone she would have faced in the Democratic primary. The Los Angeles Times reports that Fluke will run for area state senator Ted Lieu’s seat, who recently announced he will run to replace Waxman.
“I am extremely moved by the outpouring of local and national support I have received since I announced that I was considering running for office,” Fluke said in a statement. “While I strongly considered offering my candidacy for Congress, I feel there is a better way for me to advance the causes that are important to our community.”