COLUMBIA -- Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, announced today that he is abandoning his bid for the 3rd congressional district seat that is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett.
"I am focused on the Senate right now, and that was one of the primary reasons," said Massey.
"We're in some very difficult times, and we've got a pretty significant budget fight. ... In order to run this congressional race effectively I would essentially have to be absent from the Senate for the next few months."
The Edgefield Republican also pointed to family concerns.
"On a much more personal level, I am not comfortable raising my 18-month-old in Washington, and I absolutely refuse to be an absent father," he said.
The remaining Republican hopefuls include Neal Collins, Richard Cash, S.C. Reps. Rex Rice and Jeff Duncan, and Mike Vasovski. Jane Dyer and Brian Doyle are running in the Democratic primary, according to the state party.
Massey said he has not decided whether to endorse one of the remaining candidates.
"I've been trying to call a number of my supporters and talk to them personally, and I may endorse at some point in the future."
Barrett, a four-term Republican, is running in the June 8 GOP primary to replace outgoing Gov. Mark Sanford.
The 3rd congressional district stretches along South Carolina's border from the northwest corner to Aiken County. The filing period for candidates ends March 30.

Reach Sarita Chourey at sarita.chourey@morris.com or (803) 727-4257