McConnell Won't Run for Senate Seat This Year

To be sworn is as Lieutenant Governor Glenn McConnell had to give up his long-time S.C. Senate seat.

, and should a Lieutenant Governor no longer be able to serve, as was the case with , the President Pro Tem of the Senate is tapped to fill the office.

In a statement released Thursday McConnell said he would not seek to return to the Senate in November when the seat he recently gave up will be up for election again.

ABC News 4 has the full text of McConnell's statement here.

In the meantime, a special election will be held July 10 to replace McConnell for the remainder of the term. Anyone interested in running for the office will be able to file for the election March 30 - April 9. A primary election ahead of the special election will be held Tuesday, May 22.

S.C. Rep. Leon Stavrinakis weighed in on McConnell's decision by issuing the folllowing statement:

"I am sure Senator McConnell's decision not to seek re-election to the Senate was reached with the same keen intellect and respect for the law he demonstrated for the past three decades. He has been a consistent and passionate advocate for the tri-county region in the South Carolina Senate. His seniority and expertise in the General Assembly will be missed.

Having discussed with him his new role as Lieutenant Governor, I know he will bring the same honest, effective, and hard working approach to his new duties. All of us in South Carolina owe the Lieutenant Governor a tremendous debt of gratitude for his service."