Fluke told The Huffington Post in January she was " strongly considering " a run for the congressional seat held by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of this session after 20 terms in Congress. Fluke will instead run for Ted Lieu's state Senate seat, as Lieu pursues a bid for Waxman's seat.

“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 Tuesday, according to the L.A. Times. “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.”