Michele Bachmann Won’t Seek Reelection

There will be another open seat in the House when voters go the polls in 2014. Surprising many, Representative Michele Bachmann (R, MN-6) announced via a video on her website that she won’t be seeking reelection to a fifth term. The former presidential candidate and tea-party mainstay was expected to face a tough challenge from Democrat Jim Graves who came within 1.2% of defeating her last November. Despite what would likely have been an uphill battle for reelection, Bachmann said that her decision had nothing to do with her prospects but rather her belief that she had served her time. In the video, Bachmann said, “I have every confidence that if I ran, I would again defeat the individual who I defeated last year, who recently announced he is once again running.”

Jim Graves had official announced his decision to challenge Bachmann, but with her exit, Graves also announced his departure. Graves looked like a strong contender against Bachmann heading into 2014, but with more moderate Republicans now seeing an opportunity, the seat is a harder pick-up for Democrats. The 6th District is a more conservative suburban district that will be a challenge for Democrats to put in play without the divisive Bachmann in the mix. Romney took the district by almost 15% in 2012. No major contenders have had a chance to express their interest, but expect the Republican that emerges in this race to have the advantage.