Second District Congresswoman Renee Ellmers has decided against running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C.
Ellmers, a Republican, will instead seek re-election to her congressional seat.
Ellmers issued the following statement:
“After a great deal of reflection and prayer, I have come to the decision that I will run for re-election in the U.S. House of Representatives. This was not an easy decision to make, but the right one for me, my family, and the second district of North Carolina. I have been very blessed to get to where I am now and owe my accomplishments to God, my husband Brent, and my son Ben.”
Ellmers said it was important for Republicans to reach out to women, and that she wanted to remain in the U.S. House. On possible future U.S. Senate bids, she said:
“There is still plenty of time to look at future positions like the Senate and I will do my best to support the Republican candidate for this seat. I feel the best job I can do for the people of North Carolina and the Second District is to continue fighting for them in the House. I will continue to do everything in my power to fight for a better future for my state, our nation, and the liberty that unites us all.”
Other announced GOP candidates include House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, Greg Brannon, a Cary physician and Tea Party activist, and Heather Grant, a Wilkesboro nurse practitioner.
