>> More details: Stacey Abrams won't run for US Senate in Georgia

>> Video: Watch a video of her announcement.

>> Related: Who is Stacey Abrams?

>> Related: Stacey Abrams' record

The move opens a new round of scrutiny over whether she will join the growing Democratic presidential field, a possibility that heightened after she delivered her party’s rebuttal to the State of the Union address.

It also leaves open the possibility of Abrams being selected as a running-mate for a White House hopeful. She’s rejected the idea of joining a ticket as a vice presidential candidate in the primary, but has said she’s open to teaming up with a nominee.

If she doesn't make a White House run, Abrams is likely to prepare a 2022 rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp, who bested her by about 55,000 votes in a contest marred by allegations of voter suppression. After 10 days of legal wrangling and vote-counting, Abrams ended her campaign but refused to call it a concession.

Her decision on the Senate race was long awaited by Georgia Democrats, who had grown anxious as her self-imposed timetable to decide on a run slipped from March to late April.

One candidate, former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, took the unusual step of filing paperwork to lay the groundwork for a campaign - but said she will run only if Abrams does not. Other potential contenders have waited for Abrams before making their move.

They include Sarah Riggs Amico, the runner-up in last year’s race for lieutenant governor; ex-6th Congressional District candidate Jon Ossoff; and Michelle Nunn, who lost to Perdue in 2014.