Women's rights advocate Sandra Fluke said on Tuesday that she will not be running for Congress, the New York Daily News reported.
Though she led many people to believe that she'd be seeking the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) after filing paperwork for a bid from the state's Democratic Party, she officially announced that running for State Senate would be a "better way for me to advance the causes that are important to our community."
Fluke took to Twitter to thank her supporters and announce her official run for state senate on Wednesday.
"Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to #runsandrarun! I've announced my candidacy for #CA State Senate https://lat.ms/1buclDp ," she tweeted.
In January, Fluke told TIME magazine that she was "strongly considering" the option of running for Rep. Waxman's seat.
"I'm flattered that I'm being discussed as a potential candidate, especially for Rep. Waxman's seat, considering his incredible legacy," she said in an email to TIME. "A number of folks I respect very deeply have reached out today and encouraged me to run. I am strongly considering running. I'll be making my decision soon."
The 32-year-old lawyer rose to fame in 2012 when she was initially denied the chance to testify in Congress on the contraception requirements in the Affordable Care Act while studying law at Georgetown University. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh then called her a "slut" and "prostitute," prompting a media firestorm that ended advertising contracts with his show and led Fluke to become one of the most well-known women's health advocates.
Fluke, a native of Pennsylvania, has only lived in Los Angeles since completing law school. Waxman represents the 33rd istrict, which includes Malibu, Santa Monica, and Long Beach.
Waxman, 74, was elected to Congress in 1975 and played an instrumental role in passing Obamacare in the House of Representatives.
