Jenny Sanford opts out of congressional run

Former South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford announced today that she has decided against running for the Palmetto State's open congressional seat and her announcement came with a pointed attack at the House of Representatives and its leader.

"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," she said at a news conference in Charleston, S.C., today.

Sanford was considering running for the 1st Congressional District seat left vacant after former Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., to fill Jim DeMint's Senate seat. Scott was sworn in as senator two weeks ago after DeMint retired to run the conservative Heritage Foundation.

"I think my job as mom right now is much more important, much more rewarding and much more productive," Sanford said.

With Sanford's decision to stay out of the race, she avoided a potential run against with her ex-husband, former Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., whose infamous affair with an Argentine woman ended his marriage and resulted in a censure from the state legislature. The former governor previously held that House seat from 1995 to 2001 and speculation is that he will jump in the race for his old seat. The primaries are set for March 19 with runoffs - if a candidate doesn't receive a majority - on April 2; the general election is May 7.

Jenny Sanford would not say if she would endorse her ex-husband. "I don't even know who all the candidates are," she said.