Sen. Gerald Malloy withdraws protest of South Carolina Senate race [Video]

Malloy issued a statement late Monday of his intentions, less than a day before he and his legal team were set to argue their case before the South Carolina Election Commission. 

“I have tremendous respect for and will always honor the South Carolina Senate,” Malloy said in a statement. “This election has left many serious questions. But to take a protest to its full conclusion would leave Senate District 29 without representation during a critical period and put the honorable institution I love in an untenable circumstance. Therefore, I am directing my attorneys to stand down, and I have called Senator Chaplin to help in the transition. I will continue to work to improve our infrastructure, public safety, and education among the many other needs in the Pee Dee.”

Malloy, a Democrat …