Trump-Backed U.S. Senate Candidate Suspends Campaign In PA

BUTLER, PA — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sean Parnell, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump little more than two months ago, is suspending his campaign for the 2022 race in Pennsylvania. Politico reported Monday that Parnell called Trump to inform him of the decision.

The Politico report came mere hours after news broke that Parnell lost a contentious child custody case to his estranged wife. In a ruling made public Monday, Laurie Snell was awarded primary physical custody and sole legal custody of the couple's three children.

During testimony earlier this month in the case, Snell said Parnell choked her, physically and verbally abused the children and once demanded she get an abortion. Parnell, who has former President Donald Trump's endorsement, denied those allegations during his own testimony.

The judge did not address those specific accusations in the ruling but wrote in a court document that Snell was the more credible witness.

There was no immediate comment on the ruling or on the Politico report from the Parnell campaign.

Trump in September endorsed Parnell, a Fox News contributor, U.S. Army veteran and author, for
Pennsylvania's upcoming U.S. Senate seat vacancy. Incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Toomey is not seeking re-election.

Parnell "will make Pennsylvania very proud," Trump said at the time.

With control of the Senate possibly riding on who is elected as Toomey's successor, the Senate campaign is expected to be one of the most highly competitive and closely watched races in the nation.

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