After “seriously considering” running for Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-Calif.) seat in Congress, women’s rights advocate and Georgetown alumna Sandra Fluke (LAW ‘12) announced that she would instead run for state Sen. Ted Lieu’s (D-Torrance) seat in the state legislature.

Also a Georgetown alumnus, Lieu (LAW ’94) will vacate his seat in the state Senate to run for Waxman’s seat in California’s 33rd district.

“I am extremely moved by the outpouring of local and national support I have received since I announced that I was considering running for office. My entire career has been devoted to the public interest, whether representing victims of human trafficking or advocating for working families,” Fluke said in a statement Wednesday.

An avid activist for women’s rights and for coverage of contraception in health care, Fluke gained fame in 2012 after radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut” and a “prostitute.” Fluke has since spoken at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, pushing for equal pay for women and coverage of contraceptives in the Affordable Care Act.

Fluke chose to run for a state Senate seat over a seat in Congress because she felt that she could be more effective at the state level.

“I am committed to continuing that fight in Sacramento, working to protect our environment, ensure our access to health care and create the jobs that are desperately needed. While I strongly considered offering my candidacy for Congress, I feel there is a better way for me to advance the causes that are important to our community,” Fluke said in her statement.

Fluke’s colleagues voiced their support for her recent political move.

“I am pleased and delighted to endorse Sandra for the state Senate. Sandra and I have worked together on legislation to advance issues of gender equality and reproductive justice and as vice chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud to offer her my support,” California state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said in a statement.

Political analyst Christine Pelosi echoed this support.

“I strongly admire Sandra’s public service on a number of issues, and I am so excited for her to step forward and run for state Senate. Sandra Fluke will be an effective voice for her community and her generation,” Pelosi said in a statement.

The California state Senate primary elections will be held June 3 with a general election to follow in November.