Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), a leading figure within the tea party movement and a 2012 Republican presidential candidate, announced in a video message released Wednesday on her website that she will not seek re-election next year in Minnesota’s sixth congressional district.
Bachmann, who was set for another re-match against Democratic hotel magnate Jim Graves in 2014, insisted that the decision had nothing to do with her electoral prospects. She narrowly defeated Graves last year and, facing a number of campaign finance investigations into her presidential bid, was considered potentially vulnerable. Bachmann also denied that the campaign finance probes played any role in her decision.
“This decision was not impacted in any way by the recent inquiries into the activities of my former presidential campaign,” Bachmann said in the video.
Bachmann added that she will give serious consideration to any future opportunity, whether it’s involved in politics or not, “if it can help save and protect our great nation.”
