Jenny Sanford: I Won't Run Against My Ex

There will be no dramatic contest between Jenny Sanford and her ex-husband, onetime South Carolina governor and no-time Appalachian Trail hiker Mark Sanford, when it comes to Tim Scott's open House seat. Mark Sanford is expected to run for the seat in a special election, and while some had hoped scorned ex-wife Jenny would run against him, Politico reports that she announced yesterday she will not. She enjoys being a mother and thinks that's a more important job, she told reporters, according to the AP.

Jenny Sanford had earlier signaled an interest in running. Meanwhile, Mark has not yet made a formal announcement, but was on a search for office space in Charleston last week and has campaign funds. Numerous outlets have reported that an announcement is imminent. Candidates can file as soon as Friday, with primaries scheduled for March 19 and the general election May 7. If Mark Sanford wins, he'll be back in the same congressional seat he held from 1995 to 2000.