Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) announced Tuesday that she would not be seeking the GOP nomination for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson (D). She will instead seek a third House term, according to USA Today.
“I am grateful to everyone who has encouraged me and pledged support for a potential campaign for the U.S. Senate,” Noem said in a statement. “Right now [my family and I] are in the best position to serve South Dakota as a member of the U.S. House.”
The South Dakota seat is considered a potential GOP pick-up for the 2014 election cycle. Former Republican Gov. Mike Rounds is already running for the seat. On the Democratic side, Rick Weiland, a former aide to past Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, is seeking the nomination.