Jenny Sanford won’t run for House in South Carolina

“I think my job as mom right now is much more important, much more rewarding and much more productive,” Sanford said, according to the Associated Press. “The idea of killing myself to run for a seat for the privilege of serving in a dysfunctional body under John Boehner when I have an eighth-grader at home just really doesn’t make sense to me.”

The decision had been widely expected: Her ex-husband, former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), has been gearing up for a campaign and is likely to announce this week. Sources told The Hill that Mark Sanford would not be mounting a campaign if his ex-wife had been interested in the seat, both for personal and fundraising reasons.

Jenny Sanford’s popularity jumped in the state since former Gov. Sanford admitted to having an extramarital affair after disappearing from the state for days, and she’s remained active in Charleston-area politics. Her decision to take a pass on the campaign means he’s the best-known politician by far in the race and is likely to be one of the two candidates to make the GOP primary runoff, which will decide who wins the seat.

While she claimed to be undecided in her support for a candidate, Sanford said her former husband is “going to have a number of questions to answer” about his past indiscretions.

Jenny Sanford had been included on South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s (R) shortlist to replace former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), though she recently appointed Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) instead.