Republican congresswoman and former presidential hopeful says she will not seek re-election for House seat next year

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Republican congresswoman and ex-presidential candidate Michele Bachmann says she will not seek re-election in the House of Representatives.

The conservative Tea Party favorite announced her decision on her website Wednesday morning.

Bachmann says her decision not to run in 2014 had nothing to do with concerns about being re-elected. She narrowly won a fourth term in 2012 over Democrat Jim Graves, a hotel magnate who is running again in 2014.

Bachmann also says recent inquiries into her 2012 presidential campaign did not affect her decision.

In January, a former Bachmann aide filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission. The aide claimed Bachmann made improper payments to an Iowa politician who was the state chairman of her 2012 presidential campaign.

Bachmann has been a vocal opponent of President Obama.