Bachmann dropped her presidential bid after a disappointing finish in Iowa. | John Shinkle/POLITICO Bachmann to seek 4th term

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann will be seek a fourth term in Congress after abandoning her presidential bid, she said Wednesday.

Bachmann started off her presidential campaign with promise, winning the Iowa straw poll, but finishing a disappointing sixth in the Iowa Republican caucus before dropping out.


“I’m looking forward to coming back and bringing a strong, powerful voice to Washington, D.C.,” Bachmann told the Associated Press.

The Minnesota Republican has occupied the St. Cloud-area 6th District since 2007.

Bachmann’s path to reelection appears relatively obstacle-free. So far, no major candidate from either party has declared an intention to run for the seat, and a GOP primary opponent would face a decidedly uphill bid against her. The GOP nomination will be determined in a party convention this spring — a venue that typically attracts conservative activists who support the congresswoman. Bachmann also commands a far broader fundraising base than any would-be Republican rival. She has emerged in recent years as one of the House’s most prolific fundraisers.

“Michele understands that the greatness of America lies in the freedom and opportunity of its people – not the size of its government,” National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions said in a statement. “I applaud her tireless fight to repeal ObamaCare and reduce the size and cost of government so that Americans can create their own prosperity. I join House Republicans in welcoming Michele’s continued service in Congress and look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

Several Republicans, including 2010 gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer and former state Reps. Phil Krinkie and Jim Knoblach, had been mentioned as potential Bachmann successors but none has said they are willing to challenge Bachmann.

Minnesota Democrats have said they will wait for a court to finalize the state’s redistricting process before they determine who should challenge Bachmann. The Republican’s 2010 foe, Democrat Tarryl Clark, is running for a neighboring Iron Range-area seat.

Bachmann will still face some challenges. Some Minnesota Republicans have openly complained that the congresswoman abandoned her district in order to pursue an Iowa-focused presidential bid. On the trail, she often reminded voters that she is a Hawkeye State native.

She also must confront an unpredictable redistricting process that will reconfigure her seat, which is currently the most Republican-friendly in the state but could change. Redistricting is expected to be completed next month.

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