Rep. Michele Bachmann’s record-breaking fundraising is fueling speculation that she’s decided privately to mount a run against first-term Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2012. Bachmann spokesman Doug Sachtleben wouldn’t deny that speculation in an interview with
The Hill. He said the congresswoman is focused on serving her constituents, but “nothing’s off the table for the future.”
Bachmann, who is considered the head of the House Tea Party movement, cruised to reelection in the midterms and reclaimed her 6th district seat with a nearly 13-point win over state Sen. Tarryl Clark. She raked in a staggering $13.2 million during the campaign, shattering the previous fundraising record for House candidates and eclipsing even the totals for many Senate campaigns, which are typically more expensive to run.
Klobuchar, for instance, raised just more than $9 million for her successful Senate run in 2006. Much of the pundit speculation hinges on the fact that Bachmann’s national media presence has helped her build a network of grassroots support that few lawmakers can match. Almost all of her record-breaking midterm cash came from individual donors.
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