Bachmann endorses Barton for energy gavel

Tea party favorite Michele Bachmann is endorsing Joe Barton to chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as the contentious fight for the gavel reaches its final days.

In a letter Thursday to her GOP colleagues, the Minnesota congresswoman said Barton deserves the job because of his role fighting the Democrats’ health care law and climate change legislation over the past two years. She also cites Barton’s opposition to Net neutrality.

“I have no doubt that Congressman Barton will be a strong conservative leader and continue his impressive record of oversight as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,” Bachmann wrote.

Michigan Rep. Fred Upton is considered the favorite to win the GOP Steering Committee endorsement for the gavel, but he has had to fight criticism over the past month that he isn’t conservative enough for the job.