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Liz Cheney dropping out of race for Senate seat in Wyoming

Liz Cheney released a statement saying she is dropping out of the Wyoming Republican Senate primary
Liz Cheney: "I have decided to discontinue my campaign" 01:47

In a sudden end to what was a rocky campaign, Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, said she's dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate in Wyoming.

In the statement she indicates she's dropping out for personal reasons, saying, “Serious health issues have recently arisen in our family, and under the circumstances, I have decided to discontinue my campaign. My children and their futures were the motivation for our campaign, and their health and well-being will always be my overriding priority."

It’s not clear to whom she's referring in terms of health issues, but her entire family has been in the campaign spotlight after Cheney voiced her opposition to same-sex marriage. 

The comments angered her sister Mary Cheney, who is a lesbian, and said on her Facebook page at the time, “Liz - this isn't just an issue on which we disagree - you're just wrong - and on the wrong side of history."

The back-and-forth drew in their father the former vice president who released a statement saying:

"Liz has always believed in the traditional definition of marriage. She has also always treated her sister and her sister's family with love and respect ... Liz's many kindnesses shouldn't be used to distort her position."

Liz Cheney also was seen as a carpetbagger who moved to the state in 2012 and announced on YouTube that she was taking on Republican Mike Enzi, the well-liked incumbent seeking his fourth term in the Senate. Some top Republicans never embraced her candidacy and worried it would hurt the party. 

CBS News' Jan Crawford said on "CBS This Morning"  that this announcement "all but guarantees" that Enzi will get his fourth term.

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