Trump-backed Republican Sean Parnell will sit out the Pennsylvania Senate race after losing a custody battle over abuse allegations from his estranged wife

• Sean Parnell will pause his 2022 Senate campaign amid furor over his custody battle.

• Parnell’s estranged wife was given sole custody of their three children.

• Parnell, an Army veteran and 2020 House candidate, was endorsed by former President Trump.

Republican Sean Parnell, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the 2022 race to replace outgoing GOP Sen. Pat Toomey in the Pennsylvania Senate, announced Monday that he is suspending his campaign.

According to a Politico report, Parnell informed Trump of the decision.

On Monday, a judge in Butler County, Pennsylvania, awarded Parnell’s wife, Laurie Snell, primary and sole custody of their three children, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

In a statement, Parnell said he plans to focus his energy on his children.

“I strongly disagree with today’s verdict and am devastated by the decision. I plan to ask the court to reconsider this decision. In the order, two of the key factors that played a large role in the judge’s decision centered on my playing a leadership role.” “Candidate for U.S. Senate,” he said.

“There is nothing more important to me than my children, and although I plan to ask the court to reconsider, I cannot continue the Senate campaign,” Parnell continued. “My focus right now is 100% on my children and I want them to know that I have no other priorities and will never stop fighting for them.”

In recent months, Parnell’s candidacy has come under scrutiny amid allegations that he abused his estranged wife and children, which he has vehemently denied.

According to The Inquirer, two interim protection orders from abuse requested by Parnell’s wife were issued in 2017 and 2018.

After a hearing, none of the orders were renewed and were ultimately rescinded, according to The Inquirer.

However, the court battle sparked consternation among many Republicans who see the Pennsylvania race as crucial to their hopes of regaining a Senate majority.

Parnell, an Army veteran who unsuccessfully ran for Congress against Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb in 2020, clearly had conservative supporters and a coveted Trump cachet — but the race lacked a key Republican incumbent, party donors and activists concerned about electability , could calm down.

With Parnell out of the race, candidates like Jeff Bartos, a real estate developer, and Carla Sands, who served as U.S. ambassador to Denmark under Trump, remain in the running for the nomination.

And Dr. Mehmet Oz, the cardiothoracic surgeon and famous television personality, has been making some moves behind the scenes to potentially enter the race as a Republican.

Last November, current President Joe Biden won the state by 1% over Trump, and his victory in the swing state secured his overall election victory.

Democrats view the state as one of their best ways to maintain control of the upper chamber.

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