What Does The Future Hold For Bachmann?
STILLWATER (WCCO) -- Now that Rep. Michele Bachmann is out of the Presidential race, it's not really certain if she will decide to run for re-election in the 6th Congressional District or run for another office.
After announcing her withdrawal from the Presidential race Wednesday, Bachmann didn't take any questions and her campaign released no statements on her future political plans. The deadline for filing to run for Congress is June 5, 2012, so she does have time.
The fact that her district boundaries will change is one of the difficulties she faces.
Currently, the 6th congressional district stretches all the way from St. Cloud to Stillwater. When new Congressional district boundaries are announced next month, the boundaries of her district and every other district in Minnesota will change because of population shifts. In one of the revised plans, Stillwater would become part of the 4th district of St. Paul.
That means Bachmann would have to run against Congresswoman Betty McCollum in a district that has a lot more Democrats.
Fundraising and paying off bills from the Presidential race is another potential problem for Bachmann.
"It's going to be difficult for her to tell people give money to run for Congress when, at the same time, she has to pay of her presidential debts," said Professor David Schultz of Hamline University.
Another difficulty is the months of campaigning, mostly in Iowa. On the campaign trail she often referred to the Hawkeye state as her home state. Wednesday's speech where she bowed out did not contain a single reference to Minnesota. To her passionate supporters in the 6th district, however, none of that matters.
"I would like to see her run again," Lauren Richter said.
But Bachmann will be under pressure to make a decision relatively soon, so that if she doesn't run for reelection, other candidates can begin fundraising.
The most prominent Republican waiting in the wings is former gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who has said he would be interested in running if Bachmann does not seek reelection.
